Sabasports Match Preview
Club World Cup: Inter vs Fluminese
Kickoff Time: 2025-06-30 04:00 (HKT)
Source:REUTERS/NATHAN RAY SEEBECK
Inter advanced to the round of 16 as group winners with a record of two wins and one draw, remaining undefeated. After the appointment of their new coach Cristian Chivu, Inter maintained their original 3-5-2 formation. In this three-back system, the tactical approach of the Nerazzurri hasn’t changed much. However, under Chivu, the pressing shape has become more compact, starting from the midfield area. Although the fluidity and spectacle of the game are not as high as during Simone Inzaghi’s tenure, there is almost no disorganization in the midfield and defense. Additionally, the team now has more players available to deal with counterattacks. Furthermore, Chivu has also enhanced the small-area cooperation between the central midfield and the forwards, mainly using a two-on-one play in the half-space near the penalty area to break through the opponent’s defense.
Fluminense secured second place in the group with a record of one win and two draws, thus advancing to the round of 16. Previously, Fluminense once again brought back Renato Portaluppi as their manager, and the team’s performance has significantly improved. Fluminense plays a 4-2-3-1 formation, known for its high-intensity man-to-man pressing. In terms of squad, Jhon Arias and Matheus Martinelli are considered the star players of the team. The former, although short in height, has excellent skills and great dribbling ability, while the latter acts as the team’s playmaker and strategist. Moreover, the most well-known player in Fluminense’s squad is the captain and spiritual leader Thiago Silva, whose presence is undoubtedly a stabilizing force for the team.
Although Inter experienced a coaching change, from their group stage performance, it can be said that Chivu has successfully taken over the team. Inter’s overall strength is clearly superior to Fluminense, and their performance remains consistently stable. Taking all factors into account, it’s reasonable to favor the stronger Inter to secure another victory in this match.
Inter’s Last 5 Games: WWDLW
25-06-26 Inter 2-0 River Plate
25-06-22 Inter 2-1 Urawa Red Diamonds
25-06-18 Monterrey 1-1 Inter
25-06-01 Paris Saint-Germain 5-0 Inter
25-05-24 Como 1907 0-2 Inter
Fluminense’s Last 5 Games: DWDWW
25-06-26 Mamelodi Sundowns FC 0-0 Fluminense
25-06-22 Fluminense 4-2 Ulsan Hyundai
25-06-18 Fluminense 0-0 Borussia Dortmund
25-06-02 Internacional 0-2 Fluminense
25-05-30 Fluminense 2-0 Once Caldas
Head To Head Record:
None
Prediction: Inter to win