The safety net is gone, there is no longer any margin for error in the Club World Cup, and losing means saying goodbye, while winning means getting closer to being crowned world champions. Real Madrid has been warned, with Manchester City and Inter Milan having been knocked out by opponents who, on paper, are more beatable than Juventus. In a single game, anything can happen, and mistakes cannot be made or they will be paid for dearly.
Real Madrid, favorites
Real Madrid are favorites against Juventus, but you should never underestimate a team as powerful as the Italian club. It is true that they are coming off one of their worst seasons in recent years, and in Italy they are hardly giving anyone a chance to surprise them, especially considering how Real Madrid played in their last game and how, little by little, Xabi Alonso is managing to change the mentality of players who are expected to bring home the title.
But Real Madrid would be wrong to be overconfident: first, because we have already seen teams like Manchester City and Inter Milan eliminated by Al-Hilal and Fluminense, respectively, two teams that are inferior on paper. Also, if we take into account Real Madrid’s record throughout the season, unable to beat any big team in any competition.
But Real Madrid seems to be on the up. After a first game in which Xabi Alonso barely had time to prepare the squad and only managed a draw, the level has been rising in the other two games, although it is true that the opponents were not of the highest caliber. In the last game against Salzburg, the Whites played their best first half in a long time, displaying a speed of play and pressure that had not been seen for a long time at the Bernabéu. They managed to win both games, securing first place in Group H.
Real Madrid welcomes back players
There are some changes to the Real Madrid squad. The first is the return of Asencio after serving his one-match ban for the red card he received against Pachuca. Kylian Mbappé is also back after missing the first three games with a severe bout of gastroenteritis that saw him lose five kilos. The other two are more notable for their impact and emotional significance: the return of Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, who are in the squad for the first time since their serious injuries. Although it would take a turn of events for them to get any playing time, it is an important boost for the players and the squad.
Important loss for Juventus
The Italian team will be without center back Nicoló Savona, who suffered a heavy blow to his ankle after colliding with Erling Haaland and had to leave the field in obvious pain. Hours later, it was confirmed that the player has suffered a “high-grade” injury to his left ankle, which will keep him out of action until the start of next season.
Real Madrid lineup
Real Madrid has announced the starting lineup for the match against Juventus, which will kick off in a few minutes, and Xabi Alonso has once again surprised with his starting XI.
#INFO de GRADA3 ✍️
❌ MBAPPÉ, DESCARTADO para ser TITULAR ante la JUVENTUS
✅ XABI ALONSO va a OPTAR por GONZALO
⏱️ El francés podría jugar MEDIA HORA al final del partido pic.twitter.com/lqYYeuTjN0— Grada3.com (@Grada3com) July 1, 2025
Goalkeeper
- Thibaut Courtois
Defenders
- Fran García
- Antonio Rudiger
- Dean Huijsen
- Trent Alexander-Arnold
Midfielders
Aurélien Tchouaméni
- Arda Güler
- “Fede” Valverde
- Jude Bellingham
Forwards
- Kylian Mbappé
- Vinicius Jr.