Real Madrid is set to face Juventus in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on July 1, 2025. The match is particularly significant due to the potential return of Kylian Mbappé. Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has indicated that there's a "big possibility" Mbappé will feature in the game, although he may not start due to a recent bout of acute gastroenteritis that led to hospitalization and sidelined him for the group stage matches.
Alonso emphasized the importance of managing Mbappé's return carefully. He wants Mbappé to be in the best possible condition and has been working on a tactical plan to integrate him effectively into the team. Alonso stated, "We need Kylian, obviously. We want him to come back as soon as possible, in the best possible condition. He is one of the best in the world".
Mbappé's return would be a major boost for Real Madrid, especially after Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were eliminated from the Club World Cup. His presence adds significant star power to the tournament. In Mbappé's absence, young player Gonzalo García has stepped up, delivering impressive performances with two goals and an assist, raising hopes for a permanent spot in the first team next season.
Xabi Alonso, who took over as coach earlier in June, is focused on building a strong collective identity within the team. "We want a team that works as one, with the 11 players fully committed, whether we have the ball or not. Our collective strength will allow individual talents like Vinicius, Mbappe, Rodrigo, and Bellingham to shine," Alonso said. He also acknowledged that integrating Mbappé and Vinicius Jr. effectively would be a key challenge, requiring them to adapt defensively. Alonso plans to utilize Vinicius on the wing and Mbappé in a more central role, ensuring their individual qualities contribute to the team's overall system.
In addition to Mbappé, Real Madrid will also see the return of Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, who have recovered from long-term injuries. Alonso sees their return as a significant advantage, stating, "Both Dani and Eder are coming back after a long recovery. It's an advantage for them and the whole team to feel they're close and involved,". Carvajal himself expressed his happiness at being available for selection.
Juventus coach Igor Tudor recognizes the difficulty of facing Real Madrid but asserted that his team is there to compete. "We've got a top-level team. The draw wasn't the best possible, but it must be accepted," Tudor said. He stressed the need for belief, effort, and a bit of luck to succeed. Tudor also praised Alonso's tactical changes at Real Madrid, drawing parallels to his successful tactics at Bayer Leverkusen and noting potential weaknesses in the Real Madrid side that Juventus could exploit.
Real Madrid's সম্ভাব্য lineup includes key players like Fede Valverde, Jude Bellingham, and Arda Güler in midfield, with Gonzalo García and Vinicius Jr. in attack. Alonso has been experimenting with a three-center-back formation to enhance the team's defensive solidity.
The match marks a reunion of sorts, as Real Madrid and Juventus last played a Champions League quarter-final tie in 2018. As both teams prepare for this crucial Club World Cup encounter, the spotlight remains on Kylian Mbappé and his potential impact on Real Madrid's performance.
