KLIK SAJA - Inter Milan are set to face Fluminense in the Round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup, as the defeated Champions League finalists take on Rio de Janeiro’s royalty this Monday.
After both teams secured passage from the group stage, the match will be held in Charlotte and marks the first-ever official meeting between a Brazilian and an Italian club in FIFA’s premier tournament.
Taking advantage of River Plate being reduced to 10 men midway through the second half, Inter scored twice late in the game to seal a crucial 2-0 win on Wednesday, securing their place in the knockout rounds as Group E winners.
Following a draw against Monterrey and a dramatic comeback win over Urawa Red Diamonds, the Serie A side only needed a draw. However, goals from Alessandro Bastoni and rising star Francesco Pio Esposito confirmed their top spot in the group.
Although Inter’s performances have not been fully convincing since the tournament began, signs of psychological recovery from their painful Champions League final loss are beginning to emerge.
After letting several trophies slip away late last season, Cristian Chivu’s squad sees this trip to the United States as the starting point for a new chapter. Under the new manager’s leadership, Inter remain unbeaten.
Now aiming for three consecutive wins in regular time for the first time since March, the Nerazzurri could face their former manager, Simone Inzaghi, in the quarter-finals—should they defeat Fluminense and advance to play the winner of Al-Hilal vs Manchester City.
Before that, though, the Milan giants must take on Brazilian opposition for only the second time ever in official competition.
Their last meeting was a 1-0 defeat to Santos in the Intercontinental Supercup around 56 years ago.
Fluminense have, in fact, faced Inter once before in a friendly back in 1961, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Their overall record against Italian clubs is rather impressive.
Out of 14 matches, Flu have recorded 10 wins and 4 draws, scoring 28 goals—though they did suffer a 5-3 defeat to the Italian national team in a warm-up match ahead of the 2014 World Cup.
This time, the Rio-based club enters the Round of 16 as runners-up in Group F.
After a goalless draw with Borussia Dortmund, Renato Gaucho’s men claimed a 4-2 win over Ulsan HD in New Jersey, and closed the group stage with a tense draw against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Despite lacking rhythm and failing to register a single shot on target, that result was enough for Fluminense to qualify and extend their unbeaten run to nine matches.
The squad, bolstered by experienced veterans such as Argentine striker German Cano and captain Thiago Silva, has also looked solid at the back, keeping four clean sheets in their last five matches.
