It's the Mexicans' turn.

Domenec Torrent, Monterrey's new coach, stated yesterday that he will try to compete in his Club World Cup debut against Inter Milan, but above all, that the club will come out to represent the fans and Mexican football.

"The first thing we have to do is represent the club and Mexican soccer well. We're going to try to compete at every opportunity and represent our fans well," said the Spanish coach in a press conference prior to the match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Torrent has a "fairly clear idea of ​​the starting XI" for the match and added that little by little, the Rayados are "getting closer" to his ideas and approach to the match against a European team.

"The players are interpreting the idea very well, bringing out the best in them. They're improving every day (…) We won't be 100 percent tactically, but I think we're ready to face this competition," Torrent acknowledged.

Regarding his compatriot Sergio Ramos, he stated that "apart from the history he carries, he's a very competitive player and a leader. He has the soul of a leader. He helps players, both young and old, feel better about what they're about to encounter. He's the leader of the locker room with his advice and his example."

Regarding his opponent, he emphasized that it's "a very big team" with a lot of history. "We're going to face a team that will try to win the tournament," he asserted.

"We're going to try to compete with our idea, our mentality, knowing it will be difficult, but without ruling anything out," he added.

"We can't guarantee that we'll win every match, but we will compete with our own style and a very clear way of playing," he concluded.

For his part, Cristian Chivu, who recently joined the Nerazzurri bench, said he knows little about Torrent's Monterrey.

"It's a team that, with all due respect, we have little information about. I saw that they play a purposeful, vertical game, and that they like to maintain possession of the ball thanks to the individual talent of their players," said the Romanian coach, who will make his debut in charge of the club following the departure of Simone Inzaghi.

"I don't think Sergio Ramos or Sergio Canales need me to introduce them; they're very important players, and everyone knows what they've achieved. Both will try to do the same in this tournament," he added.

High-altitude farewell

Franco Mastantuono, a River Plate star, will play his last tournament with the club before leaving for Real Madrid.

The Argentine team will face Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan in its Club World Cup debut.

The youth player has just signed with Real Madrid, who will pay 63.2 million euros for his transfer, which will become official in August, once he turns 18. — EFE