By Andrea Caropreso
Index
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The group stage of the Club World Cup has come to a close after Real Madrid thrashed Salzburg overnight, and Simone Inzaghi’s Al-Hilal took advantage by defeating Pachuca 2-0. Both Italian sides, Inter and Juventus, also advanced, though Juventus ended their group on a sour note after a heavy defeat to Guardiola’s Manchester City, who now seem back to their old high standards after a tough season. In the Round of 16, Juventus will face Real Madrid, while Chivu’s Inter will take on Brazilian side Fluminense.
Juve, what a blow
At the time of the draw, it was already clear that Juventus’ World Cup group would be a tough one. However, the nature of their first defeat in this tournament raises more than a few concerns for coach Tudor. Juve looked almost powerless against the pace and flair of Doku, Savinho, and company. The final 5-2 scoreline could have been even worse.
Of course, Manchester City is not your everyday opponent—especially now, even though Juventus had beaten them in December under very different circumstances. But now the Bianconeri need to quickly reset: finishing second in the group means they must face Xabi Alonso’s dangerous Real Madrid next. Key players are expected to return to the starting lineup, but a bolder and more inspired performance will be needed to reach the quarterfinals.
Inter: from Argentina to Brazil
Inter’s Club World Cup campaign continues with another South American test. After their solid 2-0 win over River Plate, which saw them top the group, they will now face Fluminense, led by Thiago Silva. Compared to the opener against Monterrey, the Nerazzurri looked far more dynamic—fewer defensive risks and a standout performance by Pio Esposito, who took on a leading role up front.
There’s still room for improvement in terms of rhythm and creativity, but time is on their side, as the Club World Cup serves as an extension of the season for European clubs. That said, Inter aim to go all the way, and Fluminense should not be underestimated—a solid, motivated team with a few key offensive threats, especially Nonato.
Other Results
Among the other results, Borussia Dortmund impressed by topping their World Cup group thanks to a 1-0 win over Ulsan Hyundai. The Germans will face Monterrey in the Round of 16 and could meet Juventus in the quarterfinals, as both are on the same side of the bracket.
Also performing well is Inzaghi’s Al-Hilal, who had already shown an attacking mindset in earlier matches—something familiar from Simone’s stints at Inter and Lazio. Now comes the big test: Manchester City. We’ll see if the export of European talent to Saudi Arabia has helped close the gap between the two footballing worlds.
