The moment has arrived. Real Madrid is just 24 hours away from making its debut in the Club World Cup. The Whites kick off this Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. local time (9:00 p.m. in Spain) against Al Hilal at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, a match that can be watched for free on Telecinco and DAZN. The Whites are one of the favorites to reach the final on July 13, and that is the priority objective they have been working tirelessly toward for days.
Xabi Alonso makes his debut on the Real Madrid bench after just one week of working with the team. It has been a very intense week, as the coach has instilled a work ethic marked by intensity and a fast pace. The main ideas that the Spanish coach has been working on are ball movement, pressing as a unit, and pressing after losing possession. The coach wants an intense team that conveys that intensity to the fans.
This is the image he wants to convey from the outset in the match against Al Hilal, who also have a new coach, Simone Inzaghi, formerly of Inter Milan. In addition, they have signed two new players: Ali Lajami, from Al-Nassr, and Abdulkarim Darisi, from Al-Ahli. They will be looking to cause an upset against a Real Madrid side that starts as favorites.
Real Madrid’s signings
Real Madrid will have both of their new signings available to improve their defense for this World Cup. Both center back Dean Huijsen and full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold are in top form and set to start. The young Spanish center back will occupy the heart of the defense after demonstrating his defensive solidity, excellent ball distribution, and offensive potential. These are all qualities that the coach values highly.
For his part, the English full-back has impressed everyone in the first training sessions with his physical potential and great ball striking ability. It has even been decided that he will take the corners. Likewise, he has worked hard to improve his defensive performance, where he has been asked to show greater intensity.
The youth academy, very much in evidence
Xabi Alonso has also decided to give the youth academy a chance in his squad. Jacobo Ramón, Jesús Fortea, Diego Aguado, Gonzalo García, Fran González, Youssef Enríquez, Mestre, Chema, Mario Martín, and Víctor Muñoz have traveled to the United States in search of their opportunity, and it is not out of the question that the coach will give several of them a chance, as they will be undergoing a sort of re-evaluation to see if they have a place in the first team or if other decisions need to be made about their future.
Absences due to injury
Endrick and Ferland Mendy were called up for the Club World Cup, but they have remained in Madrid working at the Ciudad Deportiva on their recovery in an attempt to be fit for the tournament. Camavinga is also nearing recovery, but in Miami, and is already starting to do some exercise with the group in training. The rest of the squad will all be available to the coach.
Possible Real Madrid XI
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Raúl Asencio, Fran García
Midfielders: ‘Fede’ Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham
Forwards: Vinicius and Kylian Mbappé