Inter Milan vs Fluminense prediction, H2H and probable lineups — June 30, 2025
The Club World Cup round of 16 brings a thrilling clash between Inter Milan and Fluminense. The match will take place in Charlotte on Monday, June 30, with kick-off set for 21:00 Central European Time. I'm offering a prediction on the winner of this encounter.
Match preview
Inter arrived at the Club World Cup as one of the most consistent sides in Europe. Under Simone Inzaghi, the Nerazzurri built a well-drilled system based on intelligent ball control, pressing, and vertical attacks. However, this summer marks a new chapter with a change at the helm.
Now led by Cristian Chivu, the Milanese giants have played just three matches. A draw against Monterrey was followed by back-to-back wins over Urawa and River Plate. Against the Japanese side, Inter snatched victory in the dying moments, while versus the Argentine outfit, they looked a more cohesive unit.
Despite a solid defense and organized structure, Inter do occasionally falter on the flanks and during opponents’ counterattacks. Yet this is often offset by the defenders’ experience and the reliable goalkeeping of Yann Sommer.
In knockout matches, Inter showcase pragmatic yet incisive attacking football, repeatedly proving their ability to adapt to any opponent’s style. The team demonstrated this vividly in the UEFA Champions League, where they made it all the way to the final.
Fluminense enter the tournament as the 2023 Copa Libertadores champions, representing the rich tradition of Brazilian football with a trademark technical style. Under Renato Gaúcho, the team favors short passing and constant player movement.
Last season proved a mixed bag—ultimately disappointing for the "Big Flu." They finished just 13th in Serie A, missing out on the continent’s most prestigious competition, the Copa Libertadores.
Fluminense had to settle for the Copa Sudamericana, where they breezed through the group stage, topping their quartet. Domestically, they are among the leaders, currently sitting sixth in the league standings.
In this tournament, Fluminense have already played out two goalless draws: against Mamelodi and Borussia. A solitary win over Ulsan was enough to secure second place in the group, and overall, the Brazilians have put on an attractive brand of football.
Match facts
- Inter have lost just one of their last ten matches.
- Fluminense are unbeaten in nine consecutive games.
- Inter average 1.4 goals per game, while Fluminense average 1.3 goals per game.
Probable lineups
- Inter Milan: Sommer, Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni, Darmian, Dimarco, Barella, Mkhitaryan, Sučić, Thuram, Martínez.
- Fluminense: Fábio, Freitas, Thiago Silva, Fuentes, Javier, Hercules, Martinelli, Everaldo, Ganso, Arias, Cano.
H2H
These teams have never faced each other before.
Prediction
Fluminense have the potential to spring a surprise in this tournament: they can adapt to their opponents and exploit space effectively. However, a lack of experience could be an issue against Inter's more organized, systematic approach. The Milanese look like the favorites and, judging by their last performance, seem to have a better grasp of the new coach’s demands. With all that in mind, I expect Inter to get a positive result and reach the quarter-finals. My pick: Inter to win in regular time.
