CWC: The Sergio thing - form is temporary, class is permanent

It won’t be an easy journey for Inter on the steep path through Group E! After a dismal end to the 2024/25 season—losing the Champions League final, falling in the Coppa Italia semifinals, and letting the Serie A title slip away—the team looks like it’s in desperate need of a major overhaul. But between the European final and the start of the Club World Cup, the club barely managed to change the oil, water, and air filters.

The coaching debut of Cristian Chivu turned into a baptism by fire—and the flames nearly consumed the Nerazzurri against Monterrey, with the match ending 1–1.

The Mexicans roared at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, impressed by their team's grit and the performance of human mountain Sergio Ramos. He doesn’t play for Atlas, but like the mythical Titan Atlas, he hoisted the whole of Monterrey onto his shoulders and made sure Group E—also featuring River Plate and Urawa—got off to a heated start.

Ramos arrived in Mexico at the end of February and had played only nine games for Monterrey before the Club World Cup. But it’s astounding how much he has already solidified the Apertura 2024 champions. Approaching 40, Ramos still looks like one of the fittest players at the tournament. Proof? In the middle of the first half, he soared like he was on springs and out-jumped Inter’s Bastoni, Pavard, and Acerbi to head past Yann Sommer. That’s vintage Sergio—feeding off big occasions, always holding the winning hand when the stakes are high.

Inter, in truth, looked like the more dangerous side in Pasadena, which was to be expected. What wasn’t expected, however, was that they’d be fearing defeat. That changed when a well-executed free-kick routine in the 42nd minute—taken by Kristjan Asllani, assisted by Carlos Augusto, and finished by Lautaro Martinez—leveled the score. Inter went into halftime ready to adjust, and although they had spells of control in the second half, they didn’t register a single shot on target.

Monterrey didn’t either—except for Ramos’s goal—but came close when Sergio Canales hit the post from about 20 meters out midway through the second half. In the third minute of stoppage time, Diosa struck the side netting and appealed for a penalty after a tussle with Bastoni, but to be fair, the defender handled it cleanly without excessive force or fouling.

In the end, Monterrey scored with their only shot on target, while Inter managed just two on Esteban Andrada’s goal. Speaking of the former Boca keeper, a quirky moment made the rounds: during an Inter free kick in the first half, Monterrey set up two four-man walls—and successfully defended the play. As they did later on, when Inter pushed in vain for a second goal.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025

Matchday 1

Wednesday

Ulsan - Mamelodi 0-1 (0-1)

/Rayners 36/

Monterrey - Inter 1-1 (1-1)

/Ramos 25 - Martinez 42/

19:00: (1.07) Manchester City (13.0) Wydad Casablanca (25.0)

22:00: (1.33) Real Madrid (5.90) Al Hilal (9.50)