Monterrey Clashes with Inter Milan: Match Analysis, Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed
Champions League runners-up Inter Milan will clash with Liga MX representatives Monterrey as both teams begin their Club World Cup journey.
Following their appearance in the Liga MX final at the end of 2024, Monterrey experienced a turbulent first half of the year, which included disappointing exits from the Concacaf Champions Cup and Clausura 2025, ultimately resulting in the dismissal of head coach Martín Demichelis.
The club, which has previously secured third place twice in the Club World Cup, aims to deliver an impressive showing in this summer's competition, featuring one of North America's most skilled squads.
Just two months prior, Inter Milan harbored hopes of achieving a treble-winning season. Unfortunately, subpar performances in the final stretch resulted in the Nerazzurri finishing without silverware, prompting Simone Inzaghi's departure following an underwhelming defeat to PSG in the Champions League final.
Despite their season's disappointing conclusion, Inter remain among the world's elite clubs and are considered strong contenders to claim the Club World Cup title within the coming month.
With both teams featuring new managers making their debuts, here's Sports Illustrated's comprehensive preview of the Monterrey vs. Inter Milan Club World Cup encounter.
What Time Does Monterrey vs. Inter Milan Kick-Off?
Monterrey vs. Inter Milan Head-to-Head Record
This marks the inaugural competitive encounter between Monterrey and Inter Milan.
Current Form (All Competitions)
Monterrey | Inter Milan |
|---|---|
Toluca 2–1 Monterrey - 10/05/25 | PSG 5–0 Inter Milan - 31/05/25 |
Monterrey 3–2 Toluca - 07/05/25 | Como 0–2 Inter Milan - 5/23/25 |
Monterrey 2–0 Pumas - 04/05/25 | Inter Milan 2–2 Lazio - 5/18/25 |
Monterrey 1–2 Pachuca - 27/04/25 | Torino 0–2 Inter Milan - 5/11/25 |
León 0–2 Monterrey - 20/04/25 | Inter Milan 4–3 Barcelona - 5/6/25 |
How to Watch Monterrey vs. Inter Milan on TV
Country | TV Channel / Live Stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | DAZN |
United States | DAZN |
Canada | DAZN |
Mexico | Canal 5, ViX Premium, DAZN |
Monterrey Team News
The Domènec Torrent chapter commences for Monterrey, with the Spanish tactician arriving after an impressive tenure with Atlético San Luis. The former assistant to Pep Guardiola now takes charge of one of Liga MX's most talented rosters on paper.
At 39 years of age, Real Madrid icon Sergio Ramos will aim to recapture his prime form and anchor Monterrey's backline in what could be his final opportunities against Europe's finest clubs.
Nelson Deossa has emerged as one of Liga MX's standout performers, with his relentless energy across the midfield, orchestrating attacks and providing defensive support, perfectly complementing the refined technique of Sergio Canales, who will operate as the advanced playmaker.
Recent acquisitions Santiago Mele and Johan Rojas are expected to begin on the substitutes' bench, as Rayados seek to surprise the Champions League finalists.
Monterrey Predicted Lineup vs. Inter Milan
Monterrey Predicted Lineup vs. Inter Milan (4-2-3-1): Cárdenas; Chávez, Guzmán, Ramos, Arteaga; Rodríguez, Deossa; Corona, Canales, Ocampos; Berterame
Inter Milan Team News
Inter Milan will return to action for the first time since their crushing defeat to PSG in the Champions League final just over two weeks ago, and they'll do so under new leadership, with Cristian Chivu assuming control following Simone Inzaghi's exit.
The delayed arrivals to the U.S. training camp of Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Davide Frattesi and Yann Bisseck may mean they won't be match-ready for Chivu to include them in his starting eleven against Monterrey. Conversely, new acquisitions Luis Henrique and Petar Sučić might make their Nerazzurri bow.
Yann Sommer, Alessandro Bastoni and Federico Dimarco will maintain their customary positions in the defensive core. In the attacking third, Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martínez will persist as one of Europe's most formidable striking duos.
Inter Milan Predicted Lineup vs. Monterrey
Inter Milan Predicted Lineup vs. Monterrey (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Mkhitaryan, Sučić, Dimarco; Thuram, Martínez
Monterrey vs. Inter Milan Score Prediction
Inter Milan will be eager to put their recent Champions League final embarrassment behind them and demonstrate their credentials as genuine Club World Cup contenders.
Monterrey possess sufficient quality to remain competitive throughout most of the match and could potentially challenge for progression beyond the group phase. Nevertheless, facing one of world football's premier teams in their opening fixture presents an extremely difficult, if not insurmountable, challenge.
Monterrey's defensive vulnerabilities will likely be exploited by two world-class strikers, allowing Inter to secure a comfortable inaugural victory under Chivu's guidance. However, the Liga MX representatives have ample attacking talent to find the net at least once and will remain competitive until the final whistle in Torrent's debut.
Prediction: Monterrey 1–3 Inter Milan