Real Madrid improved their playing style and attacking performance with the presence of Arda Guler – who was turned into a ball-rotating center by Xabi Alonso.
Arda Guler's reward was a starting position. The Turkish player seriously affected Rodrygo's role.
In the final match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup group stage, a draw helped Real Madrid officially qualify for the round of 16. However, Xabi Alonso wanted more and saw the match against Red Bull Salzburg as an opportunity to experiment.
In the recent Champions League group stage, Salzburg finished 34th out of 36 participating teams, losing 7 out of 8 matches, including a 1-5 defeat at the Bernabeu.
In the Austrian domestic league, Salzburg also lost the championship for two consecutive seasons to Sturm Graz, after dominating with 10 consecutive titles thanks to the support of Red Bull.
The energy drink giant bought Salzburg 20 years ago, completely changing its history and traditional colours. Red Bull's signature red replaced the club's purple.
Salzburg’s big opportunity came at the most inopportune time. They qualified for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup thanks to their good results in Europe in previous seasons, and the two-team limit per country – something that has prevented many other big names on the continent.
Salzburg have made the most of their opening two games in the US, picking up four points and remaining unbeaten despite initially being considered the weakest team in Group H.
However, the Austrian football representative does not have the right to decide in the final round. They must beat Real Madrid if they want to continue, while a draw is not a guarantee.
If Salzburg draw with Real Madrid, while Al Hilal beat Pachuca by two goals, the Saudi Arabian giants will advance to the remaining ticket to the round of 16.
This will be a tough game for Salzburg, although Real Madrid had many problems: they were shot on 25 times against Pachuca, 10 of which came from inside the box, and Courtois had to make 10 saves.
At Lincoln Financial Field, Xabi Alonso has the opportunity to experiment, including rotating his squad to maintain fitness for the knockout stages.
Force:
Salzburg: Karim Konate, Capaldo, Kawamura, Schlager, Moussa Yeo injured.
Real Madrid: Mbappe, Endrick, Carvajal, Militao, Camavinga, Mendy, Alaba are injured. Asencio is suspended.
Expected lineup:
Salzburg (4-4-2): Zawieschiztky; Lainer, Rasmussen, Gadou, Kraetzig; Diabate, Bidstrup, Nene, Gloukh; Onisiwo, Baidoo.
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Trent, Rudiger, Huijsen, Fran Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Guler, Gonzalo, Vinicius.
Match odds: Real Madrid handicap 1 3/4
Goal ratio: 3 1/2
Prediction: Real Madrid win 3-1 .
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nhan-dinh-bong-da-real-madrid-vs-salzburg-fifa-club-world-cup-2415477.html
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