The final match of the FIFA Club World Cup at Lumen Field pitted two teams against each other for the top spot in Group E. Italian side Inter Milan and Argentine side River Plate laced their boots for the riveting match. It was a winner-takes-all match, in which both sides went on the attack as soon as referee IIgiz Tantashev blew the whistle to start the game.
RIVER PLATE BRINGS PRESSURE
The first half was a cagey back-and-forth affair, with River Plate exerting pressure on Inter, who seemed content to stay back in their solid 3-5-2 formation. River Plate started on the front foot and looked to utilize the speed and skill of center midfielder Matias Kranevitter. His ball distribution to Rodrigo Aliendro and Maximillion Meza moved the ball down the field, but Inter’s stout defense cut off the supply line to Real Madrid-bound winger Franco Mastantuono, Facundo Colidio, and striker Miguel Borja.
“ They surprised us with the early pressure and their will to win the second balls in the first half, “ said Inter coach Cristian Chivu. “ We did make adjustments in the second half by matching their intensity”.
Neither side was able to produce a moment of brilliance to break the deadlock, and as a result, the halftime break came with a goalless scoreline.
INTER BRINGS INTENSITY
The halftime adjustment Chivu spoke of was about intensity, quick ball movement with pace and purpose. To accomplish that goal, Inter attacked River Plate’s spine with the center midfielder, Henrikh Mkhitaryan. His vision to pass the ball and create space opened the River Plate defense, which was getting stretched due to Inter‘s domination of the possession battle.
“ The way he understands the game, the way he sees the game, is something the young players need to learn, said Chivi.” He is a true professional in the way he handles himself.”
The sustained possession by Inter allowed wingbacks Densel Dumfries and Frederico Dimarco to push up the field and assist strikers Lautaro Martinez and the 19-year-old sensation Francesco Pio Esposito. Inter nearly took the lead in the 50th minute, Martinez cut between two River Plate defenders, only to see his shot bounce off the post into the hands of Franco Armani.
GAME CHANGING PLAY
Inter continued to attack the River Plate defense, which finally crumbled in the 66th minute. Lucas Martinez – Quarta misplayed a loose ball, which a galloping Mkhitaryan picked up. Martinez-Quarta lunged, tripped Mkhitaryan, and was issued a straight red card. Soon after that, the Italian Giants profited from the numerical advantage. Petar Sucic slalomed into the River Plate goalmouth and laid the ball off to the 19-year-old Esposito, who had said yesterday that he would get his first start for Inter.
“ We will try to avoid comparisons. He is a young kid who has plenty of room to grow, “ said Chivu. “ He grew a lot, and he just has to keep it up.” Alessandro Bastoni put the game to bed for Inter with a left-footed shot that doubled Milan’s lead in the 3rd minute of stoppage time
BAD ENDING
Tempers flared. River Plate’s Gonzalo Montiel was shown a second yellow and finished the last two minutes of the game with nine players. Dumfries was shown a yellow card in the fourth minute of stoppage time, which saw the game end with pushing and showing between the players. River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo was adamant that the melee at the end was not the image he wanted his team to be associated with.
GALLERY BY FRANCINE SCOTT
“ There are many lessons we will learn, good and bad, when we get back to do the analysis. The images are not who we are and not our style.”
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