Real Madrid’s quest to win another Club World Cup begins at the Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday night when they go up against Al-Hilal in Group F.
Having won the trophy for a record-extending fifth time in 2023, the Spanish giants were understandably priced up as the bookmakers’ pre-tournament favourites before a ball was kicked.
After parting company with Carlo Ancelotti following a disappointing domestic campaign, Xabi Alonso has been chosen to usher in a new era at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The former Bayer Leverkusen boss will be keen to hit the ground running when Real Madrid face Al-Hilal in Florida this week.
However, there is plenty of reason to believe that the star-studded Saudi outfit are not at the Club World Cup just to make up the numbers.
While toppling Real Madrid will be a tall order, Simeone Inzaghi’s side undoubtedly have the quality to finish above fellow Group H foes Pachuca and RB Salzburg.
Head to head: Real Madrid seeking repeat
The two teams contested the Club World Cup final in 2023, with Real Madrid running out 5-3 winners.
Predicted line-ups
Real Madrid’s injury list shows no signs of shrinking, as they come into this game with seven players either ruled out or doubtful. That could see new recruits Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold get the nod on Wednesday night.
New Al-Hilal boss Inzaghi will be unable to call upon the services of injured trio Hamad Al-Yami, Kaio Cesar and Moteb Al-Harbi.
Real Madrid: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Huijsen, Garcia; Tchouameni, Bellingham, Valverde; Rodrygo,Vinicius, Mpabbe.
Al-Hilal: Bono; Cancelo, Al-Bulayhi, Koulibaly, Lodi; Neves, Kanno, Milenkovic-Savic; Al-Dawsari, Mitrovic, Malcom.
