Real Madrid will battle it out for a place in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup against Salzburg, a match in which Xabi Alonso‘s side cannot afford to speculate and must go for the three points from the start if they want to avoid complications. To this end, Xabi Alonso has already confirmed the starting eleven that will seek to secure a place in the next round.
Real Madrid need
Xabi Alonso‘s Real Madrid are looking to seal their place in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup against Salzburg in a match being played at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The Whites lead Group H with four points, the same as their opponents tonight. Behind them is Al-Hilal with two points, which could become five if they beat Pachuca (a match being played simultaneously and which you can also follow on DAZN). Therefore, Real Madrid’s situation is clear: a win will secure them top spot in the group, a draw will see them qualify and they will have to wait for the result of the Saudi Arabian team, as if they beat Pachuca by 3 or more goals, they will take the lead from the Whites. A defeat for Xabi Alonso’s side and a win for Al-Hilal would see Real Madrid out of the competition.
The match is of vital importance for the Whites. Elimination in the first round would be a huge failure, and there would be no excuses, not even the short time Xabi Alonso has been in charge of the team. The group is easy enough for Real Madrid to qualify for the next round regardless of the circumstances surrounding the team.
Real Madrid absences
Real Madrid will be without Raúl Asencio for the match due to his sending off against Pachuca. On the other hand, Mbappé is also out of the squad as he has not been able to regain his rhythm after suffering from gastroenteritis, which prevented him from making his World Cup debut. The player lost a lot of weight, and although he has been cleared to play after being hospitalized, he is far from being at a competitive level. He is expected to be fully available from the round of 16 onwards.
Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, and Mendy also do not appear in Xabi Alonso’s new squad for the match: it was expected that the Leganés right-back would be available, but it is preferable not to take any risks and for him to continue his work to gradually regain his form.
Xabi Alonso’s doubts
Xabi Alonso continues to search for the best system for this new Real Madrid. Every training session that passes plays in his favor and he continues to put the pieces of a puzzle together that still has a long way to go. The defense, the midfield, the forwards… the goal is for the team to be united, compact, mobile, and for the players to embrace the new guidelines of the new coaching staff. Each victory is another step forward, but the summit is still a long way off, while the club’s objectives and demands remain the same.
Real Madrid lineup
Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid have already confirmed the Real Madrid starting eleven, which includes some unexpected surprises.
Goalkeeper
- Thibaut Courtois
Defenders
- Fran García
- Antonio Rudiger
- Dean Huijsen
- Trent Alexander-Arnold
Midfielders
- Aurélien Tchouaméni
- “Fede” Valverde
- Arda Güler
- Jude Bellingham
Forwards
- Gonzalo García
- Vinicius Jr.