Real Madrid vs Al Hilal form
The successful plan to recruit "precious gem" Kylian Mbappe helped Real Madrid confidently enter the 2024/25 season. But in the end, the storm of injuries, especially devastating the defense, left Los Blancos empty-handed.
In the domestic arena, Real suffered a comprehensive defeat against their arch-rivals Barcelona. Meanwhile, in the prestigious Champions League, the White Vultures unexpectedly became a tasty prey for Arsenal's Gunners to "shoot" to ruin. It was the poor result that forced coach Carlo Ancelotti to leave.
Xabi Alonso arrived with a lot of expectations. The former Spain international proved his tactical talent when helping Bayer Leverkusen defeat the giant Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga to create a historic 2023/24 season. So when he returned home, Alonso was very welcomed by the Madrid fans.
As long as the pillars of the defense are healthy again, Real Madrid will create a galaxy every time they step onto the field. Of course, it will still take time for new factors such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen to integrate and prove their qualities.
But at least in the FIFA Club World Cup group stage, Real Madrid promises not to face many difficulties. Only in Group H with Al Hilal, Pachuca and Red Bull Sazlburg, names of different levels, the leading position will be very difficult to escape from the hands of coach Xabi Alonso and his team.
Even according to assessments from leading European sports sites, Los Blancos are the top candidate for the championship, ranking above the best players of PSG or Man City.
Among Real Madrid's three opponents in the group stage, Al Hilal is probably the name that can cause some difficulty for the Spanish giants. Because the current squad of the former Saudi Arabian king has names that are no longer unfamiliar to football fans.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bono, center-back Kalidou Koulibaly, full-backs Joao Cancelo, Renan Lodi, midfielders Ruben Neves, Milinkovic-Savic and striker pair Malcom, Mitrovic have all spent many years fighting and playing prominently in Europe's top tournaments, including La Liga.
Real Madrid and Al Hilal themselves also faced each other in the FIFA Club World Cup final two years ago. At that time, the Spanish Royal team defeated the Asian representative with a score of 5-3, thereby stepping up to the highest peak for the fifth time.
Like Real Madrid, Al Hilal just had an unsuccessful 2024/25 season. They were knocked out of the Saudi Pro League (Saudi Arabian National Championship) and only made it to the semi-finals of the Asian Cup 1. The presence on the coaching bench of coach Simone Inzaghi, the strategist who recently led Inter Milan to the Champions League final, is expected to bring positive effects.
Real Madrid vs Al Hilal squad information
Real Madrid: New signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen are likely to start. But other key defenders such as Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Carvajal are still out. Young striker Endrick is also injured.
Al Hilal: Kaio Cesar, Hamad Al-Yami and Moteb Al-Harbi are absent due to injury.
Real Madrid vs Al Hilal predicted lineup
Real Madrid: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Huijsen, Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius, Mbappe
Al Hilal: Bono; Tambakti, Koulibaly, Al-Bulayhi; Cancelo, Kanno, Neves, Milinkovic-Savic, S. Al-Dawsari; Malcom, Mitrovic
Prediction: 3-1
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/nhan-dinh-tran-dau-real-madrid-vs-al-hilal-2h00-ngay-196-bai-kiem-tra-dau-tien-cho-dai-ngan-ha-cua-xabi-alonso-143775.html
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