A lackluster but effective performance last Tuesday allowed Real Madrid to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup, where they will face Borussia Dortmund in a rematch of the 2024 Champions League final.
The Blancos, as we said, beat Juventus 1-0 thanks to a great second half: after struggling in the first half and even risking conceding a goal, Xabi Alonso’s team took control, putting the Bianconeri defense under pressure and breaking the deadlock with a powerful header from Gonzalo Garcia, the team’s top scorer with three goals so far, who did well to intercept a cross from former Liverpool player Alexander-Arnold, who partly redeemed himself for his disappointing performances in the group stage. The young Basque coach can be satisfied with his team’s progress so far in the United States, while remaining aware that there is still a lot of work to be done to complete the “revolution.” In the meantime, the coach who led Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga has already made many changes: tactical innovations (including the introduction of a three-man defense) are bearing fruit and benefiting players such as Arda Guler, who is playing in an unfamiliar role as a central midfielder in a five-man midfield and saw very little playing time under Ancelotti.
No clash between brothers
Borussia Dortmund also go into this match in confident mood, still unbeaten after four games. The Black and Yellows have recorded one draw (0-0 in their opening game against Fluminense) and three wins.
The latest came last Tuesday against the tough Mexican side Monterrey, who were sent home by a brace from the relentless Guirassy. Yes, it’s true, Real Madrid will be the first “real” test for Niko Kovac’s team, but Borussia’s improvements are there for all to see.
The Croatian coach, who took over from Nuri Sahin in January, has put things back on track, as demonstrated by the fact that, taking into account the end of last season, Kobel and his teammates have not lost since April and have now gone eleven games without defeat, including the Monterrey win. Kovac will have to do without one of the stars of the Black and Yellow World Cup, Jobe Bellingham, who was signed a month ago from Sunderland. There will be no clash with his brother at Juventus due to suspension.
Odds comparison
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The prediction
Real Madrid is still a work in progress but is growing game after game, finding automatisms and starting to show interesting things. However, the feeling is that the match against Borussia Dortmund – the Germans have not beaten Real since 2014, losing the last four meetings including the 2024 Champions League final – could prove more complicated than expected. The Black and Yellows are in good shape and will make things difficult for Los Blancos in a game that will see at least one goal from each side. There will be no shortage of goals, as in the last meeting: last October, Real won 5-2 against the Black and Yellows in the Champions League group stage.
Probable line-ups for Real Madrid-Borussia Dortmund
REAL MADRID (3-5-2): Courtois; Rüdiger, Tchouaméni, Huijsen; Alexander-Arnold, Arda Güler, Valverde, Bellingham, Fran García; Gonzalo Garcia, Vinicius Jr.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND (3-4-3): Kobel; Sule, Anton, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Nmecha, Gross, Svensson; Sabitzer, Guirassy, Adeyemi.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1