Italian football heavyweights Inter Milan are set to clash with Fluminense on Monday in what promises to be an intriguing fixture in the Club World Cup`s round of 16. Inter successfully advanced to this stage following a 2-0 victory over River Plate in their final group phase match. Goals from young talent Francesco Pio Esposito and defender Alessandro Bastoni secured their qualification. The team, under the guidance of coach Cristian Chivu, now faces Brazilian opposition and could potentially encounter their former coach Simone Inzaghi in a subsequent round, should Al-Hilal overcome Manchester City.
A significant player to keep an eye on for Inter is their captain, Lautaro Martinez. He has already proven his goal-scoring threat in the tournament by netting two goals in the initial matches. Although he didn`t score in the crucial win against River Plate, his contribution will be vital in the upcoming game, particularly as Esposito is unavailable due to a minor injury sustained during the week, and French striker Marcus Thuram is also facing uncertainty regarding his fitness as he recovers from an injury.
One potential disruption to the match could be the weather conditions expected in Charlotte on Monday. Forecasts indicate a risk of further storms. This raises concerns following a recent incident at the same venue, where a previous Club World Cup tie between Chelsea and Benfica was suspended for over two hours due to lightning and thunder. The extensive delay led to frustration, with the Chelsea manager reportedly expressing dissatisfaction with the situation.
Looking ahead to the outcome, Inter is generally favored to win against Fluminense, despite dealing with some injury concerns. However, the match is widely anticipated to be a competitive and potentially close encounter.
Adrian Whitmore