Inter Milan will take on Fluminense withfor the first time in a FIFA competition, with a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final up for grabs.

Inter Milan did not have a good enough start to the CWC 2025, following a draw with Mexican side Monterrey and then a comeback win over Urawa Reds. The Nerazzuri have yet to be convinced in this tournament despite their final group stage win over River Plate and subsequently topping Group E.

It took a 68th-minute sending off of Lucas Martinez Quarta of River Plate to allow Inter Milan a foothold in the game, with the clash poised up until that point. Striker Francesco Pio Esposito opened the scoring for Christian Chivu’s side in the 72nd minute, as Alessandro Bastoni doubled the advantage late in injury time to seal the points.

Inter Milan must overcome the doubters in the knockout rounds of this tournament. They have recent experience in playing in do-or-die clashes as their run to the Champions League Final suggests. However, their form has dipped since the latter stages of the season, as they will need a big result against Brazilian powerhouse Fluminense to grab a place in the quarterfinals of the CWC.

Fluminense have met Inter Milan before in a friendly back in 1961, but this will be the first time not only for them but for any Brazilian team to play an Italian side in a FIFA tournament. The Brazilian side, much like their next opponents finished the group without a defeat, but that included two draws against Borussia Dortmund and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Their solitary victory in those three games came against Ulsan, and that proved crucial in their bid to finish runners-up in the group. Renato Gaucho will want further improvement from his side, and there’s no better test than the upcoming game against Inter Milan, as progression to the knockout rounds will be on their minds.

Team News & Tactics

Inter Milan

Chivui continues to struggle with the fitness and availability of a few of his key stars, as Yann Bisseck will continue to miss games with an injury. The defender alongside, Hakan Calhanoglu, Piotr Zielinski and Benjamin Pavard have all returned to Milan.

Elsewhere, key striker Marcus Thuram continues to struggle and his fitness is in doubt ahead of the game with Fluminense. Chivu still has a problem with forwards without the Frenchman and the stranded Mehdi Taremi, as Esposito could be preferred once again alongside skipper Lautaro Martinez to lead the line.

Without Calhanoglu, Kristjan Asllani will start in his place, with Nicolo Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan on either side in the midfield setup. Carlos Augusto and Denzel Dumfries are the preferred options in the wing-back roles, while Matteo Darmian, Francesco Acerbi and Alessandro Bastoni all start in a back three.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2) – Sommer; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Augusto; Esposito, Martinez

Fluminense

Gaucho will be eagerly waiting to see whether veteran Thiago Silva recovers from a muscle problem that saw the defender pull out of the last game. Should he turn up fit then a place in the central defensive setup awaits the former Chelsea man alongside Juan Pablo Freyetes.

If not, then Samuel Xavier could start in the right-back slot, to accommodate Ignacio and  Freyetes in the central roles. Otavio and Yeferson Soteldo are the othe rplayers in doubt, as Gaucho will have the rest of his squad available for selection ahead of this clash to Inter Milan.

HErcules is expected to sit at the base of the Fluminense midfield, with Martinelli and Nonato on either side. Jhon Arias is expected to feature on the right-hand side of the front three, with Agustin Canobbio on the left, while Everaldo leads the line for the Brazilian powerhouse.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3) – Fabio; Xavier, Silva, Freytes, Rene; Martinelli, Hercules, Nonato; Arias, Everaldo, Canobbio

Key Stats

• Inter Milan are unbeaten under new manager Christian Chivu.
• Inter Milan are aiming to win their 3rd consecutive game.
• Fluminense have a strong record against Italian opposition of all kinds, winning 10 and drawing 4 of their 14 games so far.
• Fluminense failed to register a single shot on target against Mamelodi Sundowns in the final group game.
• Fluminense are unbeaten in their last 9 matches across all competitions.

Player to Watch

Lautaro Martinez

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Chivu does not have too many options when it comes to goalscorers after Thuram’s fitness issues and Taremi being stranded in Iran. Hence, Martinez needs to bring his A-game in the knockout rounds even if it means he takes on more burden on his shoulders than necessary.

Martinez has a recent good record, scoring in 10 of their last 11 games in the Champions League and CWC. With Esposito also in a decent vein of form, the idea of him playing a starring role more often than not may not resonate well, as Martinez needs to step up and deliver while covering for the absence of Thuram.

Prediction

Inter Milan 2-1 Fluminense

It’s not a cut-and-dry game to predict the perfect score in this one, but given the form and quality of either side, the Nerazzuri are the favourites to clinch a win here. Fluminense cannot be underestimated, although they may fall short of the Champions League finalists.

Despite not having the best of starts in the competition, Chivu is still unbeaten and will continue to stretch that record for another game. Inter Milan’s defensive setup will play a crucial role here once again, as they will likely keep the Fluminense attackers at bay to go through to the quarterfinals.