Al Ahly-Real Madrid is a Club World Cup semi-final and is scheduled for Wednesday at 20:00: odds, predictions, live TV and streaming
Real Madrid have arrived in Morocco with the stated aim of adding yet another trophy to their already rich trophy cabinet, which has no equal on the planet. The Merengues, back on the throne of Europe after a four-year absence, will try to become world champions at club level for the eighth time in their history.
In the past they have won three Intercontinental Cups and no fewer than four Club World Cups: since the intercontinental event changed name and format no one has won more than the Blancos. Carlo Ancelotti will take advantage of this Moroccan trip to try to regain his lost brilliance. Last Sunday, in fact, his Real side suffered another setback in the league, losing 1-0 to Mallorca. This defeat significantly reduced the chances of catching up with rivals Barcelona, who have hardly missed a beat since La Liga resumed, taking advantage of every false step by the Madrid players, who appeared drained and short of energy in the post-World Cup period. A glaring example is the recent drubbing they suffered in the Spanish Super Cup final – played in Saudi Arabia – against the Blaugrana, who prevailed 3-1 against an ugly copy of the Real we admired and applauded last season.
The constant absences through injury are making life difficult for the Italian coach, who in this semi-final will have to do without goalkeeper Courtois, but also other important players such as Militao, Benzema, Mendy and Lucas Vazquez.
Sherif of Al Ahly
Ancelotti is therefore called upon to make a virtue out of necessity: fortunately, the available squad is very long and, even in the face of a few forfeits, he should have no problem in imposing himself on the Egyptians of Al Ahly, who have already had to overcome two rounds in Morocco, beating the New Zealanders of Auckland City and the Americans of Seattle Sounders. The formation led by Swiss coach Marcel Koller, the reigning African champions, is dominating its championship – six points ahead of second place – and is coming from more than twenty useful results in a row.
The prediction
It will not be the deluxe Real Madrid we are used to, but Ancelotti’s team should have no problem reaching the final, where one of Flamengo or Al-Hilal awaits. The Egyptians, however, are very organised defensively and could give the reigning European champions a hard time. Real are therefore winners in both halves of the game and are likely to keep their goals unbeaten in the end.
Al Ahly v Real Madrid matchday squad
- AL AHLY (4-1-4-1): Elshenawy; M. Hany, M. Metwalli, Abdel Monem, A. Maaloul; A. Dieng; Percy Tau, Hamdi Fathi, Al Sulaya, T. Mohamed; Kahraba.
- REAL MADRID (4-3-3): Lunin; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Nacho, Alaba; Modric, Kroos, Dani Ceballos; Asensio, Vinicius, Rodrygo.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 0-2
