Our Inter predicted lineup for Thursday’s crunch Club World Cup clash against River Plate includes a number of returning stars.
Head coach Cristian Chivu has had to navigate his opening two games as Nerazzurri boss with a fairly depleted side. However, Simone Inzaghi’s replacement has led the Champions League runners-up to four points from six.
On MDI, the Serie A giants were held to a 1-1 draw by Mexican side Monterrey. In the following game, a last-minute winner from Valentin Carboni clinched a vital 2-1 win against Urawa Red Diamonds.
Chivu can lead his troops to the top of the rankings and qualify as Group E winners with a W against the Argentine club. Should Inter progress, they’ll face one of Dortmund, Fluminense or Mamelodi Sundowns.
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Inter Team News Vs River Plate
On Monday, FootItalia reported that three Inter stars are in line to make their Club World Cup debut against River Plate in Seattle.
Denzel Dumfries, Hakan Calhanoglu and Davide Frattesi are all in back in contention. Head coach Cristian Chivu is set to give Frattesi a place on the bench but Dumfries and Calhanoglu will feature from the off.
Elsewhere, the quartet of Marcus Thuram, Piotr Zielinski, Benjamin Pavard and Yann Bisseck will all miss out through injury. Should the Nerazzurri progress, they’ll likely be available for the last 16.
Up top, star man Lautaro Martinez will lead the line but the big question from Chivu’s persepctive is who will partner the 2022 World Cup winner.
Against Urawa, Sebastiano Esposito was given the nod. However, younger brother Francesco Pio Esposito is pushing hard to make his full debut.
Will Denzel Dumfries Start Against River Plate?
With Denzel Dumfries passed fit, it’s very likely that Cristian Chivu will start the Dutchman against River Plate. It will be Dumfries first Inter outing since the 5-0 Champions League humbling by PSG in May.
The 29-year-old full-back complained of feeling various muscle complications whilst on international duty with Holland earlier this month.
“I had some physical issues after the Netherlands games, and I didn’t want to take any risks. You always feel inevitable fatigue at the end of the season,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
Summer signing Luis Henrique filled in for Dumfries on the right hand side against Urawa Red Diamonds last time out. Now, the Brazilian is set for a place on the bench as Dumfries resumes his wing-back role.
Inter Predicted Lineup Vs River Plate
According to the best offshore sportsbooks, Inter are the slight favorites to beat River Plate and secure top spot in Group E.
Head coach Cristian Chivu still has a number of players missing but with Denzel Dumfries, Hakan Calhanoglu and Davide Frattesi all available, the Nerazzurri should get the job done in Seattle.
Inter predicted lineup vs River Plate (3-5-2): Sommer, De Vrij, Acerbi, Bastoni, Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco, S. Esposito, Martinez.
