Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu has decided to start Francesco Pio Esposito in attack and Denzel Dumfries at wingback against River Plate. Today’s final FIFA Club World Cup group stage match kicks off at 3.00 CET.
Inter Milan take on Argentine giants River Plate in the Club World Cup this evening.
And it is a massively important match. This is the final group stage match, with the Nerazzurri and River level on points at the top of the group – therefore, this is a decisive match for round of sixteen qualification.
Should Inter get at least a draw, then they are guaranteed to reach the knockouts. However, even if the Nerazzurri lose, they could still move on.
Gli 1️⃣1️⃣🖤💙 in campo per #InterRiverPlate 💪@FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/ngKr1QlJUk | @DAZNFootball @DAZN_IT #ForzaInter #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld pic.twitter.com/4uy8gNgBA2
— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter) June 26, 2025
In this respect, the result of the other match in the group between Urawa Red Diamonds and Monterrey is also crucial.
Watch Inter Milan vs River Plate for FREE with DAZN on any device!
Francesco Pio Esposito Starts In Attack
The most notable name on the Inter teamsheet is that of striker Francesco Pio Esposito.
The 19-year-old makes his first ever senior start for the Nerazzurri.
Pio Esposito had come off the bench in Inter’s 2-1 win against Urawa Red Diamonds – he assisted Valentin Carboni for the dramatic later.
However, this is the Italy Under-21 international’s first ever start for Inter’s first team.
Meanwhile, Lautaro Martinez partners Pio Esposito in attack for the Nerazzurri.
Then, in goal it is Yann Sommer who once again starts.
In front of the Swiss, meanwhile, there is a back three of Alessandro Bastoni,
Denzel Dumfries Back Into The Starting Eleven
At left-wingback, meanwhile, Federico Dimarco starts.
Then, on the right, it is Denzel Dumfries. The Dutchman has returned to fitness, and comes straight back into the starting eleven.
In midfield, Chivu has gone with the trio of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Kristjan Asllani, and Nicolo Barella.
In terms of injuries, meanwhile, Inter are without all of Yann Bisseck, Benjamin Pavard, Hakan Calhanoglu, Davide Frattesi, Piotr Zielinski, and Marcus Thuram.
Meanwhile, Mehdi Taremi remains in his home country of Iran. The 32-year-old has been unable to travel to the US due to the closure of Iranian airspace amid the escalating conflict with Israel.
Official Starting Lineups: River Plate Vs Inter Milan
Inter Milan (3-5-2): Yann Sommer; Matteo Darmian, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni; Denzel Dumfries, Nicolo Barella, Kristjan Asllani, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Federico Dimarco; Francesco Pio Esposito, Lautaro Martinez.
Substitutes: Josep Martinez, Raffaele Di Gennaro, Alessandro Calligaris, Stefan de Vrij, Tomas Palacios, Gabriele Re Cecconi, Carlos Augusto, Luis Henrique, Matteo Cocchi, Nicola Zalewski, Petar Sucic, Thomas Berenbruch, Valentin Carboni, Giacomo De Pieri, Sebastiano Esposito.
Coach: Cristian Chivu.
Suspended: no one.
Injured and unavailable: Piotr Zielinski, Mehdi Taremi, Yann Bisseck, Hakan Calhanoglu, Davide Frattesi, Marcus Thuram, Benjamin Pavard.
River Plate (4-2-3-1): Armani; Montiel, Paulo Diaz, Martinez Quarta, Acuña; Kranevitter, Aliendro; Meza, Mastantuono, Colidio; Borja.
Substitutes: Ledesma, Rivero, Gattoni, Casco, Bustos, Aliendro, Martinez, Rojas, Subiabre, Tapia, Lanzini, Borja.
Coach: Gallardo.
Suspended: Galoppo (1 match), Castaño (1 match), Perez (1 match).
Injured and unavailable: Driussi, Ruberto.
Referee: Tantashev.
Assistant referees: Tsapenko and Gaynullin.
Fourth official: Kawana-Waugh.
VAR: Al Marri, Evans, and Guzman.
inter 2 River 0
Bastooooooo
Bastoni!!!
It’s 2-0
Is this mikis last season yet? Guy needs to pack his bag and retire after this match.
I was sure since day one that Sucic will become a high quality midfielder.
Brilliant susic
Exciting player… hopefully he will become what I hoped for Kovacic back in the day
what a player sucic.. great signing
Now I understand why Mkyhi plays every game
Oh no, Henrikh.
Start sucic every game at CDM
looks a baller
MIKI!!!!! Wtf!!!!! GOOD on susic
I guess river plates’ players think they are playing boxing and want to injure other players
Dirty tackles everywhere. Should have seen atleast 2 reds on dirty river by now.
Reff should send a red card to cunha hes still running his mouth that little dwarf.
As soon as we scored they stopped diving and playing super aggressive lol they’re funny
Most of the teams is this tournament are in higher class than the officials working the matches for sure!
The guys need to be careful. If we concede and end up with a draw, we get knocked out.
Not unless the draw is 2-2
87 minutes and inter 1- River 0
Pio!!!
MOTM performance today
Ref should take control of the game now… worrying situation.
Yes. These guys are coached to play dirty and now they are playing angry too. Would be outrageous to injure someone in an exhibition
To me it seems cultural, remembering some Argentina-Germany games.1990, 2014…
I still can’t comprehend why we have wasted so many years on mediocre 32 year old back ups. Pio could have been doing this all year last year. Back up spots on the roster should be mostly our youth.
Inter will sell him mark my words. Inter does not trust in its youth.
and the money will go to CEOs poket too I am 100% sure
An early goal! We were looking like the team winning the final minutes a few years ago, due to better fitness levels. I guess scoring as early as this is what used to be a 3-0 lead?
That’s why Inter need to trust the young talents. This world cup is really promoting their values. Time to move on from the oldies and start a new cycle with fresh guys.
Thats why Susic isnt playing cdm.
Susic can play both CDM and CM. We just need Mhiki not playing and let Carboni on.
I know he can play both, I’m saying the team wants him playing further up the pitch and creating. We didn’t buy him to be a cdm even tho he can play there
PIO 1- 0
Inter finally have a young striker they can trust.
1-00000000
Kid is a star in the making. If we dont keep him this season he meeds to be on a dry loan ONLY!!!
Thank you sucic
Sucic has such a better footballing brain than asllani
Great for pio too….
Right now bag a couple and put this to bed and enjoy the week off
Much higher soccer IQ for sure.
Paulo, you think they keep Pio for the season?
Boy wonder Pio ❤️
Without an energetic midfielder like Ederson or Jashari, we really can’t do much. Our midfield is slow.
ESPOSITO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GOALLL MOTHER FAKERRR!!!
Pio!!!!
I knew it lmao dude just won me $30 lol love to see it
Lets FUKN GOOOOO!!!! PIO!!!!
Esposito!!!!!!!!
Honestly not feeling any more confident just because they lost a man. Must score to be calm!
RiverPlate players thought they would get away with every fouls they commit lel.
I believe lawfully, a well deserved red card!
Somehow every new manager will trust asslani and miki, even when they play like sh*t.
Miki just caused a red card.
I dont care he should have broke his leg and make him retire. There’s no other way.
foal mother falerrr!!!!
we are without calhanoglu and fratessi.
not sure why sucic isn’t starting at the moment.
other than that, the only alternative is to start zalewski/berenbruch…
Clear red stop this crying
Sucic should be on at CDM for asssssslani
Playing him out of position ffs this is frattesi under Inzaghi levels of BS
Agree. This is dumb
Thats chivu for you lol.
chivu is moron..
Who is the moron now? Thats right, its you.
get the fak off Darmian !!!!
Why barella and not Asslani or MHkyi
because Asllani some how has magic with every manager!
Barella has played nearly every minute of every game for club and country. He needs rest or he will retire at 30. Mhikitaryan has supernatural stamina
Pio has been great
It’s not looking good
We are playing so good and fast football now i hope we score at least 1 goal.
We NEED a proper playmaker and an actual 9 who can shoot.
I love Lautaro but for the love of god lol
I think it’s normally weak sauce to complain about referees but this guy is calling every dive for them and ignoring River Plates wrestling moves.
HOW THE FK IS THAT NO FOUL!?!?! REFFF !!!
Sub should be coming in about 2min
Lautaro should have scored this. Very dissappointed.
I can see Pio looking more comfortable on the ball. He is going to develope so much with Inter this season if hes given the opportunities he deserves.
Our Shooting is so ASSSSSSSSSS
Pio would be really good with a winger either side of him
MArtinez nooooo
Almost goal Lautaro
pass to lauti your moron dimarco
yea lel, wtf was that shooting ffs
Waking up!
Goal post…. almost…
correct me if i am wrong, but if Inter drew 0-0, we are still going through based on the tiebreaker rules right?
River Plate didn’t score against inter nor monterrey
Correcto
Really?
Why are we so bad at shooting. Dude hit it right down the middle, goalie would have saved it anyway
Details down to focus and sharpness. Dimarco in the right rhythm would hit the ball at a better moment. We are only 60 hZ in this WC!
Yes
some of you guys are absolutely insufferable with your negativity
The official is the most dangerous player on the pitch. He is and will continue ruining the game.
Agree we must play faster and I thought Asllani was invisible, put Sucic in please. River Plate far more hungry and fit for this game. I want a win but won’t cry if vacation starts early for our very tired squad
If we don’t win this game we are out Monterrey is leading Urawa 3 nil
We say it every game – we need pace.
Whenever we get a break it’s ruined cos everybody is slow af and we start passing sideways then give it away.
Good to see pio getting some game time, but I’m thinking he’s still not ready and that a cheeky phone call to stuttgart for some kind of buy / loan swap for woltemade would make my day.
I fear we will instead 25m on Correa 2.0 in Bonny
Yeah, we need pace from one of the strikers if we are going to play this way. Can’t rely on dumfries to make every single run for the second ball. That is why fratessi scores so often because he makes the run for the second ball that our strikers never do.
This is a difficult game for us because we really need rest and this game means a lot more to River Plate. Still, I think we’ll score early in the second half
Good game so far. 0-0 but and to end as expected. Inter are playing high playing energy which is absolutely amazing!!
Good game?? WHat kind of fan are yOU??? Are you blind??? You call this a ‘good game’?? Someone should come to your house and rob you i swear.
Sorry i didnt mean the last sentence but come on dude its clear as the sky we are struggling against 3rd world club.
A third world club beat the psg Team we couldnt sniff on the pitch. Maybe your not used to watching this tournament but Brazilian and Argentinian teams are not pushovers. Most the groups in this tournament are led by third world country clubs. Domt underestimate them
Most of these “fans” are as bling as Oaktree and are so happy with how things are. They are even attacking others who are very critical of inter. Maybe they can explain to us how Monterray was able to score 4 so far against Urawa while their “great” inter barely won against Urawa!
In my world everyone is a pony where we all eat rainbows and poop butterflies!
Lol dude Stop crying about ppl calling you out on not being a real fan. How can you blame anyone but yourself. All you do is complain, how are you a fan when you never actually support “your” club. EVERYONE here is critical of inter but thats not ALL they do. Check your comments all you do is complain and wish failure upon a team you claim to support. If you only support when the team is good your NOT a fan. Plain and simple. When inter plays well you dont even comment you go ghost acting like your not here lol how is that being a fan??? When inter is playing like shit you comment every five mins talking about ppl calling you out.
Chivu, resign already. You are becoming inzaghi 2.0
Thats too radical mate. Its not enough time for Chivu to implement his football. The players still have the slow defensive football mentality from Inzaghi days. Chivu will need time and some bootcamp with friendlies after this tournament.
He’s been hired for 2 weeks, he is still using inzaghi system. He hasnt had time to change much. This isnt the tournament to judge him. I’m not his biggest fan but its too early
Too many back passes, longball and miss passes.
why we still use the same old fkin player??!!!! chivu is moron.. same as inzhagi
Pio is so good
barella what a idiot player are u!!! Miki asslani Di Marco, acerbi, Darmian, Sommer, must go !!!
Clearly chivu is blind to see that. I dont know whats going on with our managers. Its like they dont see what the problem with our team is. Are we cursed? Is there black magic occuring behind the scenes?
blame chivu for stupid tactic n use fkin old player like inzaghi did… chivu to afraid not uses old idiot inter fkin player..
FFS enough long balls! Please!
Urawa 0 Monterray 4 LOL
So if the qualities of referees all around the world is still like sh55, what we need is not var of games, we need var of referees. Or even the technology or referees itself, no need incompetent referees to lead games
Passing is atrocious today
The reff is disastrous.
We are we slow to every 50/50 challenge
You should be lucky inter is not losing. They should go on vacation already. When you have a club that barely won against a Japanese club, they deserve to go back home early.
I swear to god i dont know why they look so tired already. Sure that the oldies like mikhi and acerbi and darmian playing but ffs the other players must step up its like they are still on vacation.
And you wonder why ppl doubt your a fan, who who wishes failure on there team every season
Your Marotta and oaktree dud, They got paid large sum of money by the CEO of PSG so PSG can win the CL.
If Inter draw this game, we will be eliminated by goal difference.
No we won’t
All river had to do is to get a draw/tie. HAHAHAAH inter are coming back home early as they should LOL
I bet you are a troll
You are delusional. Probably you are still thinking inter will win the treble LOL
Inter will win WW3, tomorrow!
Just imagine how lonely he would be if no one responded to his baiting in this forum. He’d be completely alone, all day, every day. So, though it may be sad, you are his only friend today. That’s a positive.
i guess he is the only benefactor of the change in message system, where we could no longer block/hide trolls like him.
Well when they decided the old way of commenting wasn’t good they basically allowed trolls to run rampant and ruin the experience for everyone. It’s only a matter of time before most people just leave the site
You know he puts words in everyones mouths, so he just has an inner dialogue while involving everyone here! The psychology of the transference – projectiles!
Urawa 0 Monterray 2 LOL
Bye bye!
Lautaro blew it. Our players play too slow. Man i just wish what was happening in the dressing room. I just wish i knew who the staff are.
Urawa Red 0 – Monterray 1 as expected!
inter lacks of creativity and very predictable even AI can figure out inter.
Go to the corner cross or track back we lack link up play from midfield to attack
why cant we sign physicall midfield? like taller players and aggressive? or are we too poor to spend??
Its actually hard to find one actually on the market. I cant really think of any that would be available tbf.
I know Chivu wanted tall physical defensive midfield if Hakan is sold though.
Too cheap to spend, always bargaining for subpar players
We need to be better on the ball in midfield seriously.
They keep body checking our players runs and the ref isnt doing anything about it.
Man River is dangerous with the players we got in the field like Asslani and miky and young pio River will keep trying to intimidate us
This team is very very hard to watch but Forza Inter and Hope Chivu makes something click, Chivu stop playing Asslani Acerbi and Myhki play the youth give them confidence look at Pedri Neves, play the youth to build their confidence
I think the problem with Asslani is that he is just average. He isn’t terrible but is just plain average in terms of vision, shooting, passing, or denfence. I feel bad cause he was actually better than this, but lack of playing time for 2 seasons really hurt his progress and confidence.
GET rid of him at once!
Yea Susic should be playing instead but lets trust Chivu for now. I just dont like Acerbi, Darmian and Mhki on the pitch than Asslani tbh.
He has really high level intelligence and passing range. He is the type of player and plays in a position that requires a lot of time and experience to master. Everyone wants to see youth play but then wants them gone if they aren’t perfect right away.
Asllani tho is just mediocre has already proven it many times. He actually got more chances compared to any other young midfielder inter have
Regista is a position a lot of guys don’t understand til their late 20’s. Calhanoglu didn’t even play there until 27 or 28. Look for the things Asllani DOES do and compare it to barella or fratessi. Look at the passes across 2 lines, the defensive cover. What are you expecting from him? To dribble five guys and put it top corner from 30 yards?
Cant believe we’re going into another season with a 38 yr old starting
Better when closer to 40, so he can emulate Zanetti and lead us to our next CL final victory! Making players in their 40s a tradition for the most legendary seasons?
hahahah Di marco is wearing a wig! He is very predictable
Bruno and lots of inter “fans” here love this LOL Matteo Darmian, Francesco Acerbi, Kristjan Asllani, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Federico Dimarco;
Terrible again!
Damn I really wanted to see Susic and Carboni play. Atleast they are playing Pio Esposito though.
Too many of the young ones, before settling into the squad, might confuse the general play and control. We want them to start building confidence. Playing a part they understand and know will allow us to do bigger rotations with time. Of course, it could be successful to do it now, but why risk it when what we’ve got works?
Barella and Mikhi as a double pivot, and Frattesi/Carboni as a CAM would have been better. Then Sucic could come on later as a rotation option in the double pivot.
Ffs anybody but asllani, give sucic a run
He got plaudits for his game for Croatia running the show but is benched behind damn asllani FML !!!
Mastantuono is gonna run rings around asllani
We are defaulting to the old system in a must win game. Good news is Dumfries is playing so we will have one side of the field that can counter and keep River Plate off balance
No need to rush it, exhausted players aren’t in the right mind space to learn new habits. Chivu has all summer to prepare for preseason. In a way, it could be a good thing to shift gradually from one known to something new. A tactical apocalypse isn’t necessarily the smartest thing to do for a fresh manager.
I agree. Changes have to be gradual
Lautaro loses all instinct when he is infront of goal he always shoots without looking when he can just place it either side of the goalie