| Al Hilal vs Fluminense | |
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MATCH INFO |
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MATCH :
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Al Hilal vs Fluminense
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COMPETITION :
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FIFA Club World Cup 2025
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| DATE: |
05-07-2025
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TIME:
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12.30 AM IST (UTC +5:30)
11.00 PM UAE
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STADIUM
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Hard Rock Stadium
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To counteract Inter’s trademark 3-5-2 formation, Fluminense coach Renato Gaúcho switched to a back three last time out, with 40-year-old captain Thiago Silva flanked by Juan Pablo Freytes and Ignacio.
It remains to be seen whether he takes such a cautious approach on Friday, when Germán Cano and attacking talisman Jhon Arias should again lead Flu’s front line.
The latter tops his team’s stats for most shots (13), chances created (12), dribbles completed (nine), and possession won (17), so the likes of Agustín Canobbio and recent signing Yeferson Soteldo will surely have to settle for a place on the bench.
Al-Hilal’s attack may be missing injured striker Aleksandar Mitrović, but they still have a Golden Boot contender in Marcos Leonardo, who has scored three goals so far.
Simone Inzaghi has also lost his skipper to a hamstring injury during the group phase: Salem Al-Dawsari not only netted Saudi Arabia’s famous winner against Argentina at Qatar 2022, but also scored twice in the 2023 CWC semi-final victory over Flu’s old foes Flamengo.
Furthermore, Abdullah Al-Hamddan (calf) and Musab Al-Juwair (knee) are both doubts, while key defender Hassan Tambakti is still struggling to recover from the knock that saw him miss Monday’s game.
Focus inevitably falls on Al-Hilal’s abundance of talent up front, but the Blue Waves often rely on Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Also known as ‘Bono,’ the ex-Sevilla stopper has saved 85% of shots on target faced so far, including 10 of 13 against Manchester City.