Real Madrid, managed by Xabi Alonso, is set to compete against Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup this Saturday. These two sides have a recent history, notably meeting in the 2024 Champions League final at Wembley, where Carlo Ancelotti`s Real Madrid secured a 2-0 victory over the German club. A notable absence for Real Madrid will be Jude Bellingham, who cannot play against his brother Jobe, a recent Dortmund signing this summer. Jude is unavailable due to a yellow card received in the previous match against Monterrey. Here is a preview covering key aspects of the upcoming match.
Match Details and Odds
- Date: Saturday, July 5
- Time: 4 p.m. ET
- Location: MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Odds: Real Madrid -190; Draw +330; BVB +430
Possible Lineups
Real Madrid XI: Thibaut Courtois; Antonio Rudiger, Aurelien Tchouameni, Dean Huijsen; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fede Valverde, Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham, Fran Garcia; Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappe
BVB XI: Gregor Kobel; Niklas Suele, Waldemar Anton, Ramy Bensebaini, Julian Ryerson, Felix Nmecha, Pascal Gross, Daniel Svensson, Marcel Sabitzer, Karim Adeyemi, Serhou Guirassy
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid: Focus will be on Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid. The star French forward recently made his Club World Cup debut against Juventus after recovering from illness and is expected to start on Saturday. As La Liga`s leading goalscorer this season, much attention will be on Mbappe, particularly as this tournament represents Real Madrid`s final opportunity to secure silverware before the next season begins.
Managerial Storyline
Is Xabi Alonso already showing his skills? A key storyline is the impact of new manager Xabi Alonso. He appears to have quickly fostered a positive atmosphere at the club, stepping into the shoes of a highly successful predecessor, Carlo Ancelotti. While Alonso has rapidly implemented his tactical vision, the question remains whether he can instill the same level of winning mentality that characterized Ancelotti`s tenure.
Prediction
Real Madrid is widely expected to advance from this quarterfinal match. Their predicted path would see them face either Bayern Munich or PSG in the semifinal, aiming for a top-four finish in the tournament.
Predicted Score: Real Madrid 2, Borussia Dortmund 0
