Xabi Alonso is preparing for the third and decisive match of the group stage of the Club World Cup against Salzburg, and he may already have his starting eleven picked for Thursday’s match. Last Sunday, we were left wanting to see how the team would perform with the new system proposed by the coach for the season following the expulsion of Asencio, but even with one man down, they were able to pull off the win. Everything indicates that he will repeat the system.
Xabi Alonso doesn’t want any surprises
Real Madrid is playing for a place in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup against Salzburg, with the lead within reach, but with the shadow of elimination looming if they lose and Al-Hilal manages to get three points against Pachuca. The match, which will be played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia at 9:00 p.m. local time—3:00 a.m. on Friday morning Spanish time—is the last hurdle for the Whites before reaching the knockout stage.
There is room for error, but it is minimal, and Xabi Alonso does not even want to consider it. That is why he will field what he considers to be the best team he can offer at the moment, without speculating or holding anything back, in order to secure qualification and first place in the group.
Xabi Alonso and the decision on Rodrygo
This is one of the big unknowns for this match. Rodrygo Goes seems to be on the way out, and although the coach shows confidence in the Brazilian, the truth is that he started the first match, but in the second, with the change of system, the Brazilian was sacrificed in favor of Gonzalo, and did not play a single minute of the match.
And this Thursday, it seems that Xabi Alonso has already made his decision and will once again leave the Brazilian out of the starting eleven. The only question mark in attack is whether he will once again call on Gonzalo or whether he will be able to field Mbappé, who is still recovering from the gastroenteritis that caused him to lose a kilo and left him very weak.
Güler takes charge
Arda Güler looks set to once again be responsible for guiding Real Madrid in midfield. It seems that Xabi Alonso has taken a shine to him and wants to make him an important player for Real Madrid. His play, his goal, his involvement in the team’s play and his commitment since the arrival of the new coaching staff have been enough to convince the coach.
The only question mark from last week is who will partner Huijsen in central defense. Following Asencio’s sending off, everything points to Rudiger being his partner after coming on for the final minutes against Pachuca following his injury, but his lack of match fitness could see Tchouameni drop back again and another player being given a chance in midfield. Ceballos’ good performance in the final stages against Pachuca makes him an option that Xabi Alonso has not yet decided on, but he could be the big bet. Otherwise, the same starting eleven from the last game is expected.
So the big surprise, and it’s not that big, is that Rodrygo will start on the bench again, a decision that is unlikely to please the Brazilian striker, who sees his confidence waning and no longer feels like the indispensable player he was in the previous era under Carlo Ancelotti.