Club World Cup 2025: Inter-Fluminense, the likely lineups
Having passed the round thanks to the first place obtained in Group G, for Inter begins the “in or out” phase at the World Club World Cup 2025: in the round of 16 of the renewed rainbow competition, the Nerazzurri will face Fluminense, a Rio de Janeiro club that finished second in Group F, behind Borussia Dortmund and ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan HD.
Few calculations are possible for Cristian Chivu at the formation level: the absence of Francesco Pio Esposito, blocked by a muscle injury, has been confirmed in the last hours, while Davide Frattesi has decided together with the club to return to Italy and Hakan Calhanoglu has now his bags in hand. In the starting 3-5-2 there will most likely be Sebastiano Esposito in place of his brother and Asllani in the role of midfield director.
On the other hand, coach Renato Portaluppi (Romanista meteor of the 1980s) has to figure out if the real Flu is the inconclusive one seen against Dortmund and Mamelodi (0-0 on both occasions) or the one of the four goals (to two) rifled against the Koreans of Ulsan. Arias, Cano and Serna are the three forwards entrusted with the task of violating the Nerazzurri defense.
Probable lineups
INTER (3-5-2): Sommer; Darmian, de Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Carlos Augusto; S. Esposito, Martinez. All. Chivu.
FLUMINENSE (4-3-3): Fabio; Xavier, Thiago Silva, Ignacio, René; Hercules, Martinelli, Nonato; Arias, Cano, Serna. All. Renato Portaluppi.
