It was not an exciting debut for Cristian Chivu on the Nerazzurri bench. In the new coach's first official match, which coincided with Inter's debut in the Club World Cup underway in the United States, the Italian runners-up were held to a 1-1 draw by Mexicans Monterrey, who on paper did not cause too much concern, although their ranks included old acquaintances of European football such as Spaniards Sergio Canales and Sergio Ramos and the Argentine ex-Genoa player Lucas Ocampos. For the Nerazzurri, fresh from the Champions League final defeat badly against PSG and from which the residue has evidently not yet been digested, Lautaro Martinez scored from a beautiful free kick play, but Monterrey had previously taken the lead thanks to a header from a free kick.cI corner from the usual Sergio Ramos, with the complicity of the less than impeccable Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
At Inter, it is worth noting that Sebastiano Esposito and the Brazilian Luis Henrique made decent debuts: for the new coach Chivu there is still a lot of work to do. Now the Champions League finalists have 1 point in group E, like Monterrey, and they already find themselves having to chase River Plate, who beat the Japanese Urawa Reds 3-1 and lead the standings with 3 points. Inter will face the Argentines in the third and probably decisive match of the group, but first they will have to relaunch themselves in the game and in the result against the Japanese, on Saturday 21 June.
Now it's Juve's turn against Al-Ain (3am on Dazn)
After Inter, Juventus is also ready to make its debut in the Club World Cup. The Bianconeri will take to the field tonight against Al-Ain, an Emirati team making its debut against an Italian team in the FIFA competition. The finishing touches were held at the Greenbrier, where Igor Tudor took advantage of the last session to evaluate the condition of his men and test several solutions in view of a match that cannot be missed. The less than optimal physical conditions of some of the starters, however, require reflection. Locatelli, recovering from an injury suffered with the national team at the end of the championship, could start on the bench: Tudor does not intend to risk it, aware of the length of the tournament and the need to preserve his strength in the long term. Positive signs instead from Koopmeiners. The Dutchman has put behind him the problems with his Achilles tendon that had affected the end of the season and has finally started to find his rhythm, but for him too the starting eleven could wait. The same goes for Gatti, who has not yet reached top form.
Tudor's Doubts
Tudor is taking a few more hours to clear up any doubts, but the feeling is that the tried and tested 3-4-2-1 will be confirmed. The alternative remains 3-5-2, with Yildiz (now a fixed point of the team) deployed closer to Kolo Muani, favored over Vlahovic. In defense, the possible novelty is Rugani, back from his loan at Ajax and esteemed by the technical staff: he is in the ballot (as favorite) with Savona to flank Kelly and Kalulu. In midfield, Thuram represents a certainty, with McKennie ready to replace Locatelli. On the flanks, the ballot is open on the right between Nico Gonzalez and Timothy Weah, while on the left Andrea Cambiaso will act. Behind the striker, in addition to Yildiz, Conceiçao is a candidate, a Portuguese talent who is growing strongly and has already been a protagonist in pre-season. The match against Al-Ain represents an unprecedented test: the two teams have never faced each other before and it will also be the first time that an Italian club has faced an Emirati team in the FIFA World Cup. The man to watch is undoubtedly Kodjo Laba, top scorer in the UAE Pro League with 20 goals and 4 assists. The Togolese striker can cause problems especially in the air: eight of his goals have come from his head, a record in the main Gulf leagues.
Probable lineups
Al-Ain (4-3-3): Rui Patricio; Al-Ahbabi, Cardoso, Kouadio, Erik; Park Yong-woo, Yahia Nader, Matias Palacios; Kaku, Houssine Rahimi, Kodjo Laba. Trainer: ivic
Juventus (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Rugani, Kelly; Nico Gonzalez, McKennie, Thuram, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Kolo Muani. Trainer: Tudor
