After their opening day draw with Al-Hilal, it looked as if Real Madrid’s group at the Club World Cup could get a lot more complicated. Yet Xabi Alonso’s side go into their final clash with RB Salzburg at 03:00 CEST knowing that a win or a score draw guarantees top spot in the group.
Beyond that, Los Blancos will likely be facing one of Juventus or Manchester City in the Round of 16, but Alonso said before the match that he was not thinking about the knockouts just yet. He also explained that Rodrygo Goes was left out against Pachuca due to a technical decision, and it seems that will be the case again.
The main team news for Real Madrid ahead of the match is that Kylian Mbappe has not recovered in time from his gastroentiritis in order to play, and has been left out of the squad. He joins a still lengthy injury list for Alonso, who is still improvising with a half-fit squad, given the absences of Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal, Endrick Felipe and Eduardo Camavinga.
As per Diario AS, Gonzalo Garcia Torres is in line to start for a third game in a row through the middle. The big factor to consider is the absence of Raul Asencio through suspension, and Antonio Rudiger is backed to return to the starting line-up after six weeks out. That is the only expected change from the side that started against Pachuca and won 3-1.
Duneimnopy
11
Alonso please use Rodrygo at 10 position please and please 🙏
ariwanze
10
Alonso always surprises us with his line ups. I think he chooses his line up according to what he saw in training.I think.