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'We’re going to the Club World Cup with personality and the desire to beat anyone' - Monterrey's Martín Demichelis confident in squad's chances

Liga MX

Monterrey

Pachuca

The countdown to the Club World Cup is officially on - or at least, the buzz has begun. With just over two months to go, several participating teams are already turning their attention to the tournament. This year’s edition introduces a revamped 32-team format featuring a group stage and knockout rounds, expected to draw major interest from fans around the globe.Monterrey head coach Martín Demichelis shared his excitement in a recent interview with FIFA, emphasizing both the significance of the tournament and the passion of the Rayados faithful. He highlighted the benefit of playing the group stage matches in Los Angeles, where Monterrey’s fan presence is strong.“Representing Monterrey and aiming to perform well in this new format is a tremendous challenge,” Demichelis said. “The entire football world will be watching, and the tournament has been built with a lot of excitement and high expectations — which we absolutely share. While we’re in the middle of our season, we’ll approach the Club World Cup with enthusiasm, hope, and the energy to compete at the highest level.”Demichelis also praised the club’s supporters and roster depth:“We have an incredible fanbase - the most passionate in Liga MX - and a great squad,” he said. “Those two elements will be key for us to come together and face anyone without fear. We’ll represent the club with pride and the determination to win.”

WHAT HAPPENED?

Monterrey has managed to build one of the most powerful squads in Mexican football with the arrival of Sergio Ramos for the Clausura 2025, alongside players who had already joined the team like Sergio Canales, Oliver Torres, Lucas Ocampo, and Germán Berterame. Although the Argentine coach's team is not in its best form in the current tournament and was embroiled in controversy a few weeks ago following a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/monterrey-s-sergio-canales-breaks-silence-after-controversy-with-martin-demichelis/blt427dda3ee9c6b4c6" target="_self">dispute with Canales</a>, Rayados can never be ruled out as a title contender in Liga MX, and they will surely be one of the main contenders in the upcoming Club World Cup.Demichelis, in his interview with FIFA, also spoke about what the arrival of a defender of Ramos' caliber has brought to the club."Sergio came with the excitement of coming to win," Demichelis said. "I think he adapted very quickly, despite having been out of competition for nine months after his last stint at Sevilla, and despite his age, he completed two weeks of training at an extremely high level." He added, "Together, we decided he was ready to step onto the pitch and play. He did very well and gradually adapted more and more to the team, the city, the institution, and his teammates. You can see in every training session his desire to win each drill, and that energy is contagious. So, for him to bring that from his experience, his status, and his personality to each member of this institution, it benefits us. I believe that he raises the drive and internal competitiveness within us, allowing each of us to grow."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Monterrey will face River Plate on June 21 in their second match of the Club World Cup, something that excites the coach due to his past with the "Millonarios.""Yes, it's a special match for me because I developed as a player and as a person within the institution. I played in River's youth teams, became a professional player, finished my schooling, started university there, and was sold abroad. I always said when I stepped into Europe that I wanted to represent River well," he said. "During my time there, I stayed in Europe for 17 years of professional football, played for the Argentine national team, and always, in some way, represented River. I had the chance to return to the institution 20 years later, as a coach, having won titles, in the step before becoming Rayados' coach. I come from there, so it’s already a special match."

WHAT MARTÍN DEMICHELIS SAID

A very important week for Monterrey and Martín Demichelis as this weekend they will play Clásico Regio 140 against Tigres on Matchday 15 of the Clausura 2025. Rayados are in eighth place in the tournament with 22 points, while their rivals, who will be the home team this Saturday, are in sixth place with 26 points.

WHAT NEXT FOR RAYADOS?

'We’re going to the Club World Cup with personality and the desire to beat anyone' - Monterrey's Martín Demichelis confident in squad's chances | Goal.com

The tournament will take place from June 14 to July 13 in the United States; Monterrey will play Inter in their debut.

&apos;We’re going to the Club World Cup with personality and the desire to beat anyone&apos; - Monterrey&apos;s Martín Demichelis confident in squad&apos;s chances

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