Preview: Real Madrid begin Club World Cup campaign against Al Hilal
There’s coaching debuts in both dugouts as these clubs meet for a rematch of the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup final.
By Filip Mishov
Different coaches, similar tactical ideas
A new era begins as Xabi Alonso and Simone Inzaghi are set to take charge of Real Madrid and Al Hilal, respectively, for the first time at the inaugural extended edition of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
With both coaches favouring a back-three system and nurturing a similar football philosophy, changes are inevitable within either squad. Furthermore, both clubs have been busy in the transfer market ahead of the tournament, with Los Blancos being successful and bringing in Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Franco Mastantuono (albeit, he will join in August), while the Saudi Pro League runners-up’s efforts to lure Theo Hernández, Bruno Fernandes and Victor Osimhen, among others, have been rebuffed for now.
The opening match of Group H in Miami will be a repeat of the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup final, when the then-European champions cruised past Al Hilal the Moroccan capital of Rabat, with Federico Valverde and Vinícius Júnior scoring braces in a eight goal thriller, leading Real Madrid to their fifth title in the competition.
Quite a few players that starred in that contest remain at their clubs with the captains, Luka Modrić and Salem Al-Dawsari spearheading the list.
Key Players
The Club World Cup will be ‘The Last Dance’ for at least a couple of players in Los Blancos’ dressing room, lLucas Vázquez for one, but more notably for their aforementioned captain – Luka Modrić, who will leave as the most decorated player in Real Madrid’s history. With that being said, this will be the Croat’s final opportunity to lift additional silverware and help his former teammate, Xabi Alonso, to get off to a victorious start back at the club where he once played.
On the other side, Aleksandar Mitrović is set to be the main protagonist for Al Hilal after the Saudi club failed to sign a new star striker in the build up to the tournament and the Serbian goalscorer will be integral to Simone Inzaghi’-led squad’s plans. The prolific ‘Mitrogol’ is averaging 34 goals a season across all competitions since moving to Saudi Arabia back in 2023.
Team news
With Alonso and Inzaghi destined to implement 3-4-3 and / or 3-5-2 formations or a rumoured 4-2-3-1, respectively, a lot will hinge on the availability of their key defenders. Thankfully for the Spaniard, Antonio Rüdiger, Éder Militão, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal are all closing in on a return from injury, while the Italian has a full squad to pick from. Also, new signings Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold are expected to be heavily involved right off the start, while it will be interesting to see how Alonso will use Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappé.
Prediction
Real Madrid and Al Hilal are expected to battle it out for top spot in Group H, with all due respect to Pachuca and Salzburg, and amid many unknowns at the beginning of their respective new eras, I expect a winning debut for Xabi Alonso and an exciting match with more than a few goals.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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