Opponent focus: Fluminense

Inter's opponent for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the Round of 16 will be Fluminense. One of Brazil's oldest clubs, having been founded in 1902, they take their name from the Latin word flumen (meaning river), and the word has come to describe natives of the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro.

Ahead of Monday's game at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte (15:00 local time, 21:00 CEST), let's get to know our opponents a little better.

FLUMINENSE IN THE GROUP STAGE

Fluminense went unbeaten in Group F to book their passage to the Round of 16.

The Tricolor played out a closely-contested goalless draw with Borussia Dortmund on matchday 1. Flu's all-important came in their second game, against Ulsan HD. They ran out 4-2 winners in an excitive game; after taking the lead through Arias, the Tricolor found themselves 2-1 down at the break, only to turn it around again with goals by Nonato, Freytes and Keno after the break.

Finally, they closed out Group F with another 0-0 draw, this time against Mamelodi Sundowns. With five points in the bag, Flu have shown ample solidity at the back and plenty of potential on the front foot. The draw with Mamelodi Sundowns saw the Tricolor extend their unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions. Furthermore, the Rio-based outfit have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five competitive matches, with Ulsan HD being the only side to hit the back of the net against them in that time.

FLU'S SEASON SO FAR

Fluminense qualified for the Club World Cup by winning the Copa Libertadores in 2023, the first in their history, after they beat Boca on home turf at the Maracanã (Kennedy with an extra-time winner to make it 2-1). Fluzão have been crowned champions of Brazil on four occasions, though none since 2012, and have won 33 Campeonato Carioca titles (Rio state football), five fewer than bitter local rivals Flamengo. Their last two wins in the Cariocão came in 2022 and 2023. In 2024, they came fourth but were knocked out by Mengo in the semis, while this year, they made it to the final but were again beaten by the Rubro-negro.

They went into last season's Copa Libertadores as reigning champions but were knocked out at the quarter-final stage by eventual finalists Atlético Mineiro. This season, Flu are currently sixth in the Brasileirão on 20 points after eleven matches and topped their Copa Sudamericana group with six wins, a draw and a defeat.

COACH AND SQUAD LIST

Flu are coached by Renato Gaúcho, who is no stranger to Italian football, having played for Roma in 1988/89. He is the only Brazilian to have one the Copa Libertadores both as a player and a coach.

Since his arrival in April 2025, the Tricolor have mostly opted for a solid 4-2-3-1 formation. They possess among their ranks some experienced players, who have had great careers in Europe, most notably Thiago Silva, who returned to the club at 40 years of age and captains the side. Two other key members of the squad are Fábio, the legendary 44-year-old goalkeeper who has over 507 clean sheets in 1,390 professional appearances, and Jhon Arias, who was named Man of the Match against Dortmund. A quick and tricky winger, Arias is one of Flu's chief threats.

Without a doubt, one of Fluminense's core strengths is their stout defence: the aforementioned Thiago Silva is the central figure of an alert and aggressive back line that shuts down the spaces out wide and forces the wingers to defend.

The Tricolor also have Renato Augusto and Ganso in midfield, both of whom are much-loved in South America but had less fortune during their respective spells in Europe. Up front is Argentinian striker Germán Cano, who has netted 14 times this season. However, Flu lost the legendary full-back Marcelo after a contract termination back in November. SQUAD LIST Goalkeepers: Fabio, Ramalho, Pitaluga, Eudes Defenders: Freytes, Fuentes, Guga, Ignacio, Manoel, Renè, Samuel Xavier, Thiago Santos, Thiago Silva Midfielders: Bernal, Hercules, Isaque, Lezcano, Lima, Martinelli, Nonato, Ganso, Riqueleme, Wallace Davi Forwards: Canobbio, Eve, German Cano, Jhon Arias, Keno, Kevin Serna, Lavega, Paulo Baya.

THE ONLY PREVIOUS MEETING

Fluminense and Inter have met just once in their history: a friendly on 14 June 1961 during the Tricolor's tour of Italy. 50,000 fans packed into San Siro to see new signing Luis Suarez, who had just joined the Club from Barcelona. The game ended 1-1, with Waldo opening the scoring for the guests and Bicicli equalising ten minutes later.

Milano, 14 June 1961 Inter 1-1 Fluminense Goals: 66' Waldo, 76' Bicicli Inter: Da Pozzo, Masiero, Facchetti, Zaglio, Guarneri, Balleri, Bicicli, Lindskog, Waldner (77' Firmani), Suarez, Morbello. Coach: H. Herrera Fluminense: Castilho, Marinho, Altnir, Edmilson, Pinheiro, Clevis, Francisco, Tele, Waldo, Panio, Escurinho Coach: Zezé Moreira