Monterrey vs. Inter Milan: Projected Lineups for the Group E match in the Club World Cup

Monterrey is set to become the first Mexican club to take the field at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, opening their campaign against Italian powerhouse Inter Milan. Both clubs share Group D with River Plate and Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds, making this a pivotal opening match for both sides.

Monterrey is set to be the first Mexican team to take the field in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, and they will do so against none other than Italian giants Inter Milan. Both teams are part of Group D, which also includes River Plate and Urawa Reds. This match promises to be one of the highlights of the group stage.

Throughout their previous appearances in the Club World Cup, Rayados have built a reputation as a tough competitor. The club has earned two third-place finishes, in 2012 and 2019, showcasing their ability to compete against top international teams. Now, under the new expanded format of the tournament, Monterrey aims to match—and even surpass—those performances. Their debut against Inter Milan will be a crucial test of their potential to advance.

On the other side, Inter Milan enters the tournament looking to bounce back after a devastating 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final. That defeat left a bitter taste for the Nerazzurri, and the Club World Cup represents a shot at redemption. For Inter, this tournament isn’t just about silverware—it’s about restoring pride and sending a strong message on the global stage.

Interestingly, both clubs will debut new head coaches in this matchup. Monterrey parted ways with Martín Demichelis after their elimination from the Clausura 2025 playoffs, and recently appointed Domènec Torrent, a former assistant to Pep Guardiola, as their new manager. Meanwhile, Inter Milan also underwent a managerial change, as Simone Inzaghi stepped down following the Champions League final. Cristian Chivu, a former Inter player and youth team coach, was promoted to lead the first team just days before the Club World Cup began.

This clash between Monterrey and Inter not only features two clubs with high ambitions, but also two managers seeking a winning start to their new chapters.

Projected lineups – Monterrey vs Inter Milan

Monterrey: Esteban Andrada; Gerardo Arteaga, Victor Guzmán, Sergio Ramos, Stefan Medina; Fidel Ambríz, Ricardo Chavez, Iker Fimbres; Sergio Canales, Nelson Deossa, Germán Berterame.

Inter Milan: Yann Sommer; Alessandro Bastoni, Francesco Acerbi, Benjamin Pavard; Federico Dimarco, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Nicolò Barella, Denzel Dumfries; Lautaro Martínez, Marcus Thuram.