Fluminen US Al Hilal, FIFA Club World Cup – A collision between giants from Saudi -Aarabia and Brazil in the quarterfinals

After so far he has pulled the biggest upset of the World Cup, Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia has a eyes in a place in the semi-finals when it takes on the Fluminense of Brazil in Orlando on Friday.

The Saudi Pro League club produced a stunning version to beat Premier League giant Manchester City with 4-3 in extra time in the round of 16.

Although there was no shortage of heart and effort in the Al-Hilal display on Pep Guardiola side, it was connected to an impressive tactical discipline, shape and technical quality.

And although it will be reminded for the in the middle club football on the map with that victory, the victory came with a strong international influence.

The Italian Simone Inzaghi took the lead on the team just before the start of the tournament and can rely on experienced talent such as Portugal full-back Joao Annalo, former Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly and Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

It is the last one who played for Inzaghi in Lazio in the Serie A, which turned out to be the most influential against City and earned the «Fantastic» label from Guardiola.

Milinkovic-Savic is a long, strong, physical presence in midfield and is an important element of Al-Hilal, which turned out to be so effective against City.

Inzaghi is happy that they have some core of players with whom he can communicate and who give his team the necessary nous and experience for these difficult tests.

«I didn’t have to get to know Sergej. He is an extraordinary player who combines quality and quantity,» said Inzaghi after Saturday’s victory.

«He walked a lot, just like all other players. He speaks, just like Koulibaly and Joao Cancelo, Italian, so they also help my staff and me,» he said.

‘Historical performance’

«It is absolutely great to receive these compliments from a manager like Guardiola,» Milinkovic-Savic told Fifa.com.

“We have shown what level we are. I feel great here, we train well and physically I feel good. Inzaghi has now arrived, which I know really well, so now we have to believe to the end.

«What we did (against City) is inexplicable. We have played against one of the best teams in the world, and this motivates us more for the next games. It is a historical achievement for us, the club and the whole country. We believed for every second, and we did it.»

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Full-back Renan Lodi, winger Malcom and striker Marcos Leonardo, who scored twice against City, offer some Brazilian influence that could be very useful on Friday at the World Stadium.

Fluminense also overcame the opportunities to reach the last eight and defeated the UEFA Champions League finalist Inter Milan 2-0.

After unbeaten in the group stage, including a scoreless draw with Borussia Dortmund, the Brazilians-with the 40-year-old Thiago Silva at the back and a strong defensive resilience have shown.

While the two teams meet for the first time in a competitive game, several Brazilians played for the Saudi club, no one better known than 1970 World Cup winner Rivellino, who won the inland competition with Al-Hilal after he was there at Fluminense.