The Inter is ready to dive into the Club World Cup Round of 16, with the aim of confirming the good work done in the group and advancing in the tournament, thus securing a quarter-final against one of Guardiola's Manchester City or Simone Inzaghi's Al-Hilal. Awaiting the Nerazzurri there is the Fluminense, a tricky and well-organized opponent, in a challenge that promises balance and intensity. But beyond the technical difficulties and physical ailments (Pio Esposito, the great protagonist of the victory over River Plate, will be missing), for Chivu's team the weather variable looms, which adds a further element of uncertainty to an already tense race.
Inter – Fluminense (21pm, Canale 5 and Dazn)
Having archived the group in first place, theInter by Cristian Chivu is preparing to challenge Fluminense in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup. A match with a particular charm, which will pit the two sides against each other two different schools of football thought: on the one hand the verticality and intensity typical of the Nerazzurri game, on the other the organisation and patient management of the Brazilians, skilled at closing spaces and counter-attacking.
Fluminense qualified as second in their group behind Borussia Dortmund, conceding just two goals in three games: a clear sign of the defensive solidity of the team. team coached by Renato Portaluppi, a legend of the Carioca club and a well-known face in Italian football with the Roma jersey. Inter are the favourites, but they will have to be careful not to underestimate their opponent. To complicate Chivu's plans, there are also some unknowns related to the physical condition of the squad. On the one hand, there is good news, with the full Marcus Thuram's recovery (having overcome the muscle fatigue suffered against Monterrey), on the other hand the Pio Esposito's sudden stop. The young striker, a key player in the victory against River Plate, stopped during the last training session and will have to miss the match. But it is not only the pitch that worries Inter.
In Charlotte, the scene of the meeting, the real enemy could come from the sky. Weather conditions are in fact a variable that is far from secondary. Already during the match between Benfica and Chelsea, the threat of a storm caused a long suspension of the match, which then ended in extra time. In North Carolina, the security protocols in bad weather they are very strict. At Bank of America Stadium, home of FC Charlotte in MLS and the Carolina Panthers in the NFL, a lightning strike within a radius of 12,7 km is enough to trigger the “Seek Cover Protocol”: event immediately suspended and public invited to seek shelter. Everything remains blocked until at least half an hour has passed since the last lightning strike in the area. Local authorities have also recommended that the population limit their outings to a minimum between 12 and 16, the hottest hours of the day, with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees. Precisely in that time slot (15pm local time, 21pm in Italy) the kick-off of the match between Inter and Fluminense is scheduled, inserted well in advance in the FIFA calendar. In short, between tactical variables, serious injuries and the possible intervention of bad weather, the round of 16 for Inter promises to be anything but trivial. Concentration, clarity and a cool head will be needed: on the pitch and, if necessary, even in the rain.
Chivu: “Weather alert? I hope a decision is made before the match”
“We are ready as we have been from the beginning, we want to honour the club in the world – he explained Chivu -. The goal is to be our best version and advance to the next round, in In general, there is a desire to play a great tournament. They have quality, experience and intensity, we know them and it is good for football that there are Brazilian teams. We must immediately immerse ourselves in what the match will offer and raise the revs: the match against River Plate prepared us from this point of view. Weather warning? I hope a decision is made sooner. If we go to the stadium and they tell us we have to wait two hours, it becomes difficult for the preparation. If the alert is confirmed in the American morning, I hope that everything is decided in advance, so that it does not affect the quality of the match and the work of the players".
Inter – Fluminense, probable formations
Inter Milan (3-5-2): Sommer; Darmian, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Carlos Augusto; S. Esposito, Lautaro
Trainer: Chivu
Fluminense (4-3-3): Fabio; Samuel Xavier, Thiago Silva, Ignacio, René; Hercules, Martinelli, Nonato; Arias, Cano, Serna
Trainer: Portaluppi
