Inter – Fluminense

Inter don’t look like clear favourites

On Monday, 30 June, Inter will play Fluminense to reach the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup. Inter had a tough time in the group stage, although they ended up finishing first in the group. The Brazilians acted very pragmatically and finished second in a hard fought match against Mamelodi. All in all, both teams are in mystery status. Inter is going through a difficult time psychologically as well. Just a month ago, the club was preparing for the Champions League final with Simone Inzaghi. Now they have to work with a new coach Christian Kivu, after a disappointing defeat to PSG in the Champions League. Inter got into not the strongest group, but did not convince at all. In the first match they only achieved a draw against Mexican Monterrey. Then with great difficulty defeated Urawa, and in the match with River Plate scored their goals only after the suspension of the opponents. The result was convincing: 7 points and first place in the group, but the game is just building. It is as if the players have not yet psychologically recovered from the blow at the end of the season. It is important that Inter finished the last playing year without any titles at all. Kivu has not yet abandoned the standard 3-5-2 scheme that the club has been playing. That is, Inter are having a tournament without revolutions, but the former reserve is not even close. Fluminense played two draws without goals, and scored only to the weak Korean Ulsan. In the gate of the Asian club, the Brazilians shipped four goals. Flou has a very bright attack right now exactly on the flanks. John Aryas is one of the underrated stars of the tournament, a player with the potential to play in the top leagues. Kano is a fast and technical centre forward. Thiago Silva is responsible for the wisdom in defence. The 40-year-old veteran was even given a break against Mamelodi. His experience could be crucial in the playoffs. Fluminense was somewhat disappointing in the game against Mamelodi. The Brazilians didn't shy away from holding on to a draw, even though the status seems to be much higher than the Africans. It turned out to be a very grey match. That said, the plan worked - Mamelodi was contained without global risk. Bookmakers are a little surprised by the difference in the odds. Inter are stronger, but still in a broken state at the moment. Fluminense, on the other hand, has an insane amount of motivation. Odds of more than 5.00 on the Brazilians are too high. Importantly, Flu have already proved themselves against Borussia Dortmund, a comparable team to Inter. A close match is just as likely in the playoffs. Inter's scheme is unlikely to provoke attacking football. That said, the Brazilians have players capable of deciding the fate of the match through individual actions.