With just hours to go before the start of the Club World Cup round of 16, Xabi Alonso has reportedly decided on his starting eleven against Juventus. The Tolosa-born coach’s big dilemma was whether to start Mbappé. Although everything pointed to him starting, it seems that he will finally opt for Gonzalo up front alongside Vinicius.
Match preparation
Kylian Mbappé has been the big absentee for Real Madrid so far in the Club World Cup. The gastroenteritis he suffered just before the start of the tournament, which even led to him being hospitalized, caused him to lose five kilos and left him very weak. The French player returned to training the day before the Salzburg game, but did not train with the group, something he did start doing after the Whites secured their place in the round of 16.
Since then, the player’s physical condition has improved significantly, but there are still doubts about his performance, which has led to much debate among the coaching staff about whether or not to include him in the starting lineup.
Xabi Alonso has been preparing for the match with Gonzalo as Vinicius’s partner. The first three games have catapulted the Real Madrid youth player to prominence, with two goals and his contribution to the team’s collective effort. His good form has earned him not only a place in the starting line-up for all three games, but also more minutes than anyone else in the forward line. The confidence that Xabi Alonso has placed in the young player has helped him to perform beyond expectations.
The time and weather are key
Everything indicates that Kylian Mbappé will start on the bench, and the weather and time of the match are key: the match kicks off at 3 p.m. local time, and although there could be rain, the heat in Miami at that time of day could be a problem for the French striker. Xabi Alonso will give him some playing time, half an hour for sure, maybe the whole second half, but he does not seem willing to risk him on the field from the start.
He is very satisfied, not only with Gonzalo, but also with the whole team. He believes he has found a solid foundation that, although it will eventually change so that the Golden Boot winner can start, he considers to be the ideal starting lineup to face Juventus.
Mbappé will get some playing time
What is clear is that Mbappé will get some playing time. The official lineup has not yet been confirmed, but the coach’s idea is for Gonzalo to start. Mbappé could play half an hour or, if the game requires it, the entire second half. He still thinks it would be excessive to give him a start after the gastric problems he has been through, and the weather conditions are not the most favorable for getting the most out of the player.
Xabi Alonso has complete confidence in Gonzalo and wants to reward him with a start against Juventus. That’s what he’s been practicing since Sunday, and it looks like that will be his choice. But Mbappé carries a lot of weight, and Xabi Alonso is also aware of the importance of the player, the match, and the setting. Xabi Alonso was determined to start the youth player, but he could change his mind at the last minute. However, it looks like he will save the Frenchman for the second half.