Italian giants Inter Milan are set to face Brazilian side Fluminense on Monday in what promises to be an intriguing encounter in the Round of 16 of the Club World Cup. Inter secured their place in the knockout stages with a 2-0 victory over River Plate in their final group stage match, thanks to goals from Francesco Pio Esposito and Alessandro Bastoni.
Under the management of Cristian Chivu, Inter will now take on Fluminense. A potential future clash against former coach Simone Inzaghi could be on the cards if Al-Hilal manages to overcome Manchester City in their next fixture.
Match Details and How to Watch
The match is scheduled for Monday, June 30, with a kick-off time of 3 p.m. ET. It will be held at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Fans can watch the match on DAZN. The current odds are: Inter Milan -145; Draw +240; Fluminense +430.
Possible Lineups
Inter Milan XI: Sommer; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Augusto; Thuram, Martinez.
Fluminense XI: Fabio; Xavier, Silva, Freytes, Rene; Hercules, Martinelli; Arias, Nonato, Canobbio; Everaldo.
Key Player to Watch
Lautaro Martinez, Inter Milan – The Inter captain is arguably the most exciting player heading into this match, having already netted two goals in the tournament`s opening three games. Despite not scoring in the crucial win against River Plate, his leadership and goal-scoring ability will be vital in guiding his team to the quarterfinals. Inter faces some challenges with Italian prospect Esposito sidelined by a minor injury sustained during the week, and French forward Marcus Thuram is also questionable as he recovers from his own injury. Martinez`s performance will be key.
Potential Weather Concerns
One notable storyline is the potential impact of weather on the match. There are concerns regarding possible storms in Charlotte on Monday. This follows Saturday`s events at the same venue, where storms significantly affected Chelsea`s Round of 16 tie against Benfica, leading to a suspension of over two hours due to lightning and thunder. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca commented on the match, which ended up lasting nearly four and a half hours, stating, “I think it`s a joke, to be honest. It`s not football. It`s completely something new. I struggle to understand. I can understand if it`s security reasons, but if you suspend seven or eight games, then it`s probably not the right place to do the competition.”
Prediction
Inter Milan are expected to emerge victorious against Fluminense on Monday, even with some injury concerns. However, anticipate a closely fought contest.
Our Pick: Inter Milan 2, Fluminense 1.
Dominic Ashworth