Italian football powerhouse Inter Milan is scheduled to face Fluminense on Monday in a noteworthy encounter during the Club World Cup Round of 16. Inter, also known as the Nerazzurri, secured their spot in the knockout phase by defeating River Plate 2-0 in their final group stage match, thanks to goals from Francesco Pio Esposito and Alessandro Bastoni. The team, managed by Cristian Chivu, will now challenge Fluminense. There`s also a potential scenario where they could meet their former coach Simone Inzaghi in a later round, provided Al-Hilal overcomes Manchester City.
Match Information & Odds
- Date: Monday, June 30 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Bank of America Stadium — Charlotte, North Carolina
- Live stream: DAZN
- Odds: Inter -145; Draw +240; Fluminense +430
Predicted Lineups
Inter 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: The captain of Inter is expected to be a focal point in the match, having already scored two goals earlier in the tournament. While he didn`t find the net against River Plate, his contribution will be vital for Inter`s push towards the quarterfinals, especially as Francesco Pio Esposito is sidelined with a minor injury and Marcus Thuram`s status is uncertain due to his recovery from injury.
Match Concern: Potential Weather Delays
A significant factor potentially affecting the match is the weather forecast for Charlotte on Monday, which includes a risk of storms. This follows the disruption faced during Saturday`s match between Chelsea and Benfica at the same venue, which saw a suspension of over two hours due to lightning and thunder. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca voiced his frustration after that prolonged match, describing it as difficult to comprehend and questioning the venue`s suitability if such delays are common.
Prediction
Inter is anticipated to secure a victory against Fluminense, despite potential injury concerns. The match is likely to be a closely fought contest. Predicted Score: Inter 2, Fluminense 1.
