Cristian Chivu was disappointed about the finish of Inter after their 1-1 draw against Monterrey in their Clubworld Cup opener.
The second place of the Champions League could not get better from the Mexican side in the Rose Bowl, with the former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos Monterrey ahead for an equalizer of Lautaro Martinez.
Inter was the more dominant team, which collected 2.7 expected goals from their 15 shots in the game up to 1.1 XG from Monterrey. In fact, the Italian side of 1.9 xg in the first half was the highest by each team in the opening 45 minutes of this club World Cup.
Ramos' goal was Monterrey's only shot at goal in the game. He has now scored in his both performances against Inter and also scored a header from a corner in Madrid's Champions League collision against them in 2020.
Chivu, who supervised his first game since the replacement of Simone Inzaghi, was satisfied with how Inter created the opportunities in both halves, but wants them to be more clinical in their upcoming games.
“The first half was positive: although we fell behind, we caused them problems with our movement and rotations,” said Chivu.
“In the second half we were a bit slow in possession, although we still created a few chances. What we missed was a clinical lead for the goal.
“We were sometimes exposed in transition, where they were particularly strong. We had to bring the ball forward faster and move faster, but the players gave everything.”
1.9 – @inter_en 's 1.9 expected goals in the first half versus Monterrey is the highest by each team in the first half of a match on the @fifacwc. Unheated. pic.twitter.com/RH89UOVMH1
– Optajoe (@Optajoe) June 18, 2025
Chivu did not change too much in terms of the system of Inter and remained stuck with the 3-5-2 form that Inzaghi was often used.
The new coach, however, is open to making tweaks, including possibly playing Henrikh Mkhiticyan behind a lonely attacker.
“Mkhitaryan behind the rush? We have to try to continue to develop new solutions and be ready for our upcoming competitions,” he said.
“It was not easy to be confronted with a low block that then often tried to catch our offside.”
Inter Face Urawa Reds in their second group E match on Saturday in Lumen Field in Seattle. The Japanese team lost 3-1 to the river plate in their opening fixture.
Franco Mastantuono, who will join Madrid after the tournament, announced his presence against Urawa. He disputed 19 duels and won 11 of them.
Only two players-Youcef Belaili van Es Tunis and Botafogo's Gregore-Hebben more duels included in the Club World Cup than the 17-year-old so far.