Inter draws with Monterey in their debut in the club world cup
Sergio Ramos shines with a header, but the Nerazzurri collective effort and Lautaro Martínez’s star strike equalize the score in the Club World Cup clash
Inter Milan struggled in their Club World Cup debut and were held to a 1-1 draw by Monterrey on Tuesday (17) at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Despite having greater possession and offensive volume, the team led by Cristian Chivu was stopped by the Mexicans’ organization and Sommer’s goal.
The start was promising for Inter , who pressed forward and tried to suffocate their opponents in the opening minutes. However, the pressure did not translate into a goal. It was Monterrey who opened the scoring in the 24th minute, with an aerial play. After a corner kick, Sergio Ramos appeared at the near post and headed the ball firmly to make it 1-0.
The Italian team reacted with intensity and found the equalizer in the first half. At 41 minutes, in a rehearsed free kick, Carlos Augusto set up and Lautaro Martínez hit a cross to equalize the score. With the score at 1-1, Brazilian referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio ended the first half.
After the break, Inter increased their attacking momentum. Bastoni dribbled beautifully down the left and left Barella in a position to finish, but his shot went wide. Shortly after, Canales responded for Monterrey with a bomb from outside the area that exploded off the post.
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In the 22nd minute, Lautaro Martínez turned the game around after a great assist from Barella, but the linesman called offside. The number 10 also wasted another clear chance in the 31st minute, when he sent a loose ball into the penalty area.
Dimarco, Zalewski and Barella also came close to finding the net, but lacked accuracy. At the other end, Canales almost surprised Sommer with a cross-shot after an individual move along the baseline.
With the draw, Inter and Monterrey have one point each and share second place in Group E. River Plate leads with three, after a 3-1 victory over Urawa Reds, bottom of the group.
Upcoming games
Monterrey returns to the field on Saturday (21), at 10 pm (Brasília time ), to face the leader. Inter plays earlier, at 4 pm, against Urawa.
