Real Madrid starting XI prediction for game against Pachuca in the 2025 CWC

There’s a question mark on Xabi Alonso’s board – a puzzle to solve after his promising all-white debut. Rodrygo or Güler, that is the question. And the answer will shape the formation. Because while the Brazilian and the Turk can occupy similar areas of the pitch, they are not the same kind of player. That’s the crux of it.

Who will play for Real Madrid against Pachuca?

Do you go again with the player who shone against Al Hilal? Or opt for the one from Altindag, who changed the rhythm of the match the moment he stepped on the field? The first is more of a forward, the second more of a midfielder (or so Real Madrid and Xabi hope). It’s 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. That’s the debate ahead of the clash with Pachuca.

There’s no such debate up front. Gonzalo will start again – for his goal and for everything else. He proved he could be the Joselu-like striker the club is looking for. But the decision is also about the context. With Mbappé ruled out until the Salzburg game due to gastroenteritis and Endrick in the treatment room, the striker’s spot will go to the academy product. His guaranteed partner will be Vinicius.

Amid the buzz stirred up by social media,he’ll need to quiet it in the best way possible – with his football.After a low-key debut, Vini needs to make himself heard. If he starts dancing again, so will Xabi’s Madrid.

The rest of the lineup seems clear. Tchouaméni will stay on as the midfield anchor, one of the few to shine in that dull opening match. Aurélien was a wall in an engine room lacking in creativity but overflowing with muscle. To fix the former, Bellingham and Valverde will need to step up. Especially Bellingham, who looked miles off the player who dazzled in his first season and a half in white. The presence of either Güler or Rodrygo will determine their roles. With the Brazilian, they’ll link up with the front three. If it’s the Turk, Jude will find himself drifting more toward the left flank. Xabi will soon solve the puzzle.

Repeat the backline

Meanwhile, the players shielding Courtois will remain unchanged: Trent, Asencio, Huijsen, and Fran García. A back four in which only the gentle giant truly delivered – Asencio gave away the penalty, and Fran was beaten by Malcom time and again, especially in the first half. In a Madrid side lacking a playmaker, it was Huijsen who acted as the brain. The coach will look to continue nurturing his on-the-ball qualities, while gradually integrating Alexander-Arnold into his system after a rocky debut.

So, the XI Xabi is leaning toward for the Pachuca match is as follows: Courtois; Trent, Asencio, Huijsen, Fran García; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Bellingham; Rodrygo or Güler, Gonzalo, and Vinicius.