Only Lionel Messi can shirk defending: warns Monterrey coach before Dortmund clash

The Mexican side boast a serial winner in Sergio Ramos, with the 39-year-old wearing the captain’s armband and marshalling the defence. PHOTO: AFP

UPDATED Jul 01, 2025, 10:41 AM

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ATLANTA – Monterrey coach Domenec Torrent warned his team that every player must defend diligently if the Mexican club are to stand any chance of beating Borussia Dortmund in the Club World Cup last 16 on July 1 (July 2, Singapore time).

He said that former Barcelona great Lionel Messi, whose Inter Miami side were knocked out by Paris Saint-Germain, is the only player in the world who can get away without tracking back.

Monterrey secured an impressive 1-1 draw against Inter Milan in the group phase, but, to reach the quarter-finals, must secure a first-ever win for a Mexican side against European opposition in the competition.

“We need to compete as a team, and what I mean is it’s about defending – we must all defend,” Torrent said.

“If you do not defend, you’re getting benched, if you don’t abide by the rules, you’re harming the team. We played very well against Inter Milan, we went in for every ball, we suffered and we endured, even our most talented players that tend to defend less, they defended very well.

“Lionel Messi, the best player in history... He was the only one who could tip the balance, turn the game on its head, without teammates, without defending. But all the other players in the world they need to track back and to defend, otherwise you can’t compete head-to-head with these teams.”

Torrent added that the margin of quality between European sides and the rest of the world was smaller, but still evident, although it did not preclude an upset.

“Against the top European teams there is a significant gap, this is the truth of the matter,” he explained.

“We have a plan A, plan B and plan C, that’s what you need as a coach, many things happen over the course of a football match.”

The Mexican side boast a serial winner in former Real Madrid veteran centre-back Sergio Ramos, with the 39-year-old wearing the captain’s armband and marshalling the defence.

In attack they have former Sevilla winger Lucas Ocampos and striker German Berterame, who netted a brace against Urawa Red Diamonds in the final group game to help them progress second.

Former Juventus great Alessandro Del Piero even picked Monterrey to go through ahead of Dortmund when making some last-16 predictions.

“He’s a football world legend, a reference. We thank him, but we don’t take it seriously. We know who we are and, on paper, who the favourites are,” said Torrent.

“I hope our players haven’t heard (that), because what I want to make clear to my players is that we have to fight for every ball, every second – only in this way can we compete.”

Berterame said the team have grown a lot psychologically under Torrent, who was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City before starting on his own path as a head coach.

“Our mentality and what we’ve accomplished have made our mindset higher now,” explained the forward. “We have to try to play... maintaining that intensity and that order.”

Meanwhile, Dortmund coach Niko Kovac has specifically said his side will have to overcome “superstar” Ramos and his winning mentality to reach the quarter-finals.

He highlighted the veteran Spaniard’s will to win and Monterrey’s aggression.

“He’s a superstar you know,” Kovac told a news conference.

“All the players that are playing so long... it shows their mindset. They are winners, they want to win in every single training session, every single game, they want to be on the top level with every single pass in training.

“He’s a leader, as a leader you want to be as long as possible on a high stage.” AFP, REUTERS

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