Real Madrid face their final group stage match of the Club World Cup against Salzburg with a clear objective: securing their ticket to the Round of 16. For Xabi Alonso’s side, the math is simple — a win or a draw with goals guarantees them the top spot in Group H. A loss, however, could eliminate them from the tournament unless Al Hilal fail to beat Pachuca in the other group match.
Xabi Alonso is still monitoring his squad’s physical condition to finalize the starting lineup. He’ll be forced to make at least one change due to Marco Asensio’s suspension following his red card against Pachuca. Rüdiger, who made a return in the previous match, isn’t fully fit to start, meaning Tchouaméni is expected to pair up with Huijsen at center back.
That opens up a spot in midfield. While Ceballos, Modrić, and academy talent Chema are all in contention, the most likely scenario sees Arda Güler dropping into midfield alongside Valverde and Bellingham. Brahim Díaz would then take Güler’s place in the front three, joining Vinícius Jr. and Gonzalo García.
Salzburg: Europe’s most active club in the transfer market ahead of the Club World Cup
Real Madrid’s final group opponent is Salzburg, a team they already faced earlier this season during the Champions League group phase. However, this is a very different Salzburg side. The Austrian club was the most active European team in the special World Cup transfer window, bringing in several reinforcements ahead of the tournament.
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Kylian Mbappé outside the squad for Real Madrid vs. Salzburg in the Club World Cup: The reasons behind the decision
Between June 1 and June 10, Salzburg added Sota Kitano from Cerezo Osaka (Japan), Jacob Rasmussen from Brøndby (Denmark), Frans Krätzig from Bayern Munich, and Stefan Lainer from Borussia Mönchengladbach. They also briefly registered Amar Dedić, who returned from a loan at Marseille — although he’s now joined Benfica, where he’ll stay for the upcoming season following the World Cup.
Projected starting XIs:
Salzburg: Zawieschitzky; Lainer, Gadou, Rasmussen, Krätzig; Bidstrup, Diabaté, Nene, Gloukh; Baidoo, Onisiwo.
Real Madrid: Courtois; Trent, Tchouaméni, Huijsen, Fran García; Valverde, Bellingham, Güler; Brahim, Vinícius Jr., Gonzalo García.
