Soccer
Verdict: Inter win
Best odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
Level on four points in Club World Cup Group E, River Plate and Inter Milan face off in a direct battle for top spot at Lumen Field on Wednesday.
Inter, the Champions League runners-up, claimed their first win at the second time of asking against Urawa Red Diamonds, while their South American rivals remain top after a goalless stalemate with Monterrey on matchday two.
Inter Milan
Cristian Chivu found success at the second attempt as Inter’s new head coach, after his debut against Monterrey ended in disappointment, and the clash with Urawa Red Diamonds came close to unfolding in similar fashion.
The Serie A giants were stunned by an 11th-minute strike from Ryoma Watanabe and went into the break without a reply, but captain Lautaro Martinez did what he does best to level the score before two substitutes combined for a dramatic winner.
Teenager Francesco Pio Esposito set up Valentin Carboni, who calmly slotted into the far corner to hand Inter their first victory since their Champions League heartbreak against Paris Saint-Germain, and seize control of their fate in the competition.
Inter now sit two points ahead of Monterrey and four clear of already-eliminated Urawa. A score draw would be enough to book their place in the last 16, while a win would confirm their place at the top of the group – the minimum expected of them before the tournament began.
As things stand, finishing first in Group E would likely set up a mouthwatering last-16 clash with Borussia Dortmund, currently second in Group F. However, with progression not yet secured, Chivu’s men cannot afford to be distracted by potential future opponents.
Team News
Injuries remain a concern for Inter, with Hakan Calhanoglu (thigh), Denzel Dumfries (muscle), Davide Frattesi (muscle), Marcus Thuram (flexor), Piotr Zielinski (calf), Benjamin Pavard (unspecified), and Yann Bisseck (thigh) all missing out against Urawa.
Nevertheless, Dumfries, Calhanoglu and Frattesi are reportedly close to returning in time for the decisive clash in Seattle, while the rest are being preserved for the knockout phase—if Inter make it through.
Chivu is also set to bring back fresh legs in Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Alessandro Bastoni, and with Thuram still sidelined, Sebastiano Esposito – older brother of Francesco – is expected to continue leading the line.
River Plate
Just like their Nerazzurri counterparts, River Plate have their knockout fate in their own hands and currently top Group E, edging ahead thanks to a slightly better goal difference.
The Argentine side outperformed Inter by one goal in their respective wins over Urawa — triumphing 3-1 in their tournament opener — but were unable to replicate that attacking prowess against Sergio Ramos’s Monterrey last weekend.
River Plate were not short on effort, recording 1.68 Expected Goals (xG) to Monterrey’s 0.13 and taking 18 shots in total, yet Franco Mastantuono and his teammates couldn’t find the decisive goal.
Even so, Marcelo Gallardo’s men know that either a win or a score draw will see them through, while even a loss could be enough to progress if Monterrey also fail to beat Urawa in the final round of group matches.
River have been in strong form, losing just once in their last 19 competitive outings. However, their only previous meeting with an Italian club ended in disappointment — a 1-0 defeat to Juventus in the 1996 Intercontinental Cup final, with current coach Gallardo among the substitutes.
Team News
Discipline will force Gallardo into significant midfield changes, as three key players — Kevin Castano, Enzo Perez, and Giuliano Galoppo — are all suspended for this crucial encounter.
Castano was dismissed for two yellow cards against Monterrey, while both Perez and Galoppo received their second bookings of the tournament, resulting in one-game bans.
As a result, Gallardo will need to reshape his midfield entirely, though Real Madrid-bound youngster Mastantuono is expected to retain his usual spot on the right.
Conclusion
River Plate arguably should be two points ahead of Inter at the top of Group E, but their wastefulness in front of goal against Monterrey proved costly, and the early signs ahead of their final group game do not bode well for the Argentinians.
With Gallardo forced to overhaul his entire midfield and Inter poised to regain several key players, the opportunity to claim top spot appears firmly within the Nerazzurri’s grasp.
Verdict: Inter win
Best odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
Read MoreVeselin Trajkovic