Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal | Club World Cup | Group Stage | Pre Match
Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal
Real Madrid, the Spanish giants with an unparalleled legacy in global football, officially usher in the Xabi Alonso era on Wednesday as they face Saudi Pro League powerhouse Al-Hilal in a highly anticipated Club World Cup clash at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. The match marks the beginning of a new chapter for Los Blancos, who are determined to rebound from a bitterly disappointing 2024-25 season that saw them lose the La Liga title to arch-rivals Barcelona, fall in the Copa del Rey final, and suffer defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final. Despite securing the UEFA Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup, the campaign was deemed a failure by the club’s lofty standards, prompting the departure of veteran manager Carlo Ancelotti, who left a year early to take charge of the Brazil national team. Alonso, a former Real Madrid midfielder who won La Liga and the Champions League during his 236 appearances for the club, was swiftly appointed as Ancelotti’s successor, bringing with him a reputation forged through a stellar tenure at Bayer Leverkusen. With a bolstered squad and a chance to win a sixth Club World Cup title, Real Madrid enter Group H as overwhelming favorites, but Al-Hilal, now led by former Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi, pose a formidable challenge in what promises to be a captivating tournament opener.
The 2024-25 season was a rare misstep for Real Madrid, whose dominance in European and domestic football has been near-constant over the past decade. The loss of the La Liga title to Barcelona stung deeply, as did their defeats in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup finals, which exposed uncharacteristic vulnerabilities in a squad accustomed to silverware. Ancelotti’s departure, while amicable, marked the end of an era, as the Italian tactician’s second stint at the club had delivered two Champions League titles and a La Liga crown. Enter Xabi Alonso, whose appointment sent waves of excitement through the Madrid faithful. At 43, Alonso brings a blend of tactical acumen and deep emotional ties to the club, having won multiple honors as a player. His transformative spell at Bayer Leverkusen, where he led the German side to a Bundesliga title and a Europa League triumph, showcased his ability to blend attacking flair with defensive solidity. Alonso’s squad has been strengthened by the arrivals of Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth, Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, and the highly rated Franco Mastantuono, though the latter will join after the Club World Cup. With matches against Mexico’s Pachuca and Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg to follow, Real Madrid are expected to cruise through Group H, but Alonso will be wary of complacency against an Al-Hilal side brimming with attacking talent.
Al-Hilal, meanwhile, enter the tournament under their own new management, with Simone Inzaghi taking the reins just weeks after his departure from Inter Milan. Inzaghi’s exit from Inter came on the heels of a humiliating 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Munich, a result that capped a four-year tenure in which he delivered a Serie A title, two Italian Cups, and two Italian Super Cups. His appointment at Al-Hilal, confirmed a day after leaving Inter, tasks him with restoring the Saudi club’s dominance after they finished second in the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League, 13 points behind champions Al-Ittihad. Inzaghi’s challenge is twofold: to reclaim the league title in the 2025-26 season and to navigate a daunting Club World Cup group stage, starting with a formidable test against Real Madrid. Al-Hilal’s attacking prowess was evident last season, as they scored 95 goals in 34 matches to finish as the Saudi Pro League’s highest scorers. Their memorable performance in the 2022 Club World Cup final, where they scored three goals in a valiant 5-3 defeat to Real Madrid, offers hope that they can trouble Alonso’s side. With Inzaghi’s tactical expertise and a squad packed with quality, Al-Hilal will approach the match as underdogs but with the confidence to cause an upset.
Real Madrid’s squad is not without its challenges, as injuries have taken a toll on their defensive unit. Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga, and Ferland Mendy have all traveled to the USA despite carrying injuries, though none are expected to feature against Al-Hilal. Antonio Rudiger’s availability remains uncertain following meniscus surgery in April, while young Brazilian forward Endrick is ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury sustained last month. These absences pave the way for Alexander-Arnold and Huijsen to make their debuts, with the former’s set-piece delivery and attacking instincts likely to add a new dimension to Real Madrid’s play. At the attacking end, Kylian Mbappe, who enjoyed a sensational first La Liga season with 31 goals in 34 appearances to claim the Pichichi and European Golden Shoe, will be the focal point of Alonso’s attack. Mbappe’s pace, finishing, and ability to deliver in big moments make him a constant threat, and his presence will test Al-Hilal’s defensive resolve. Alonso is likely to deploy his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo providing width and creativity in support of Mbappe, while Jude Bellingham anchors the midfield with his blend of physicality and vision.
Al-Hilal’s hopes rest on Inzaghi’s ability to quickly implement his favored 3-5-2 formation, a system that requires significant adjustment from a squad accustomed to a more fluid, attacking style. Goalkeeper Bono, a former Sevilla star, will be crucial in keeping Real Madrid’s potent attack at bay, shielded by a back three of Kalidou Koulibaly, Hassan Tambakti, and Ali Al-Bulayhi. Joao Cancelo, who missed the final six games of the season with a minor injury, will be eager to prove his fitness as a wing-back, where his overlapping runs and crossing ability could stretch Real Madrid’s makeshift defense. Up front, Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scored 28 goals in 36 competitive appearances last season, will lead the line as Al-Hilal’s primary goal threat. Mitrovic’s physicality and aerial prowess make him a handful for any defense, and his partnership with supporting attackers like Michael Delgado could exploit any lapses in Real Madrid’s backline. Inzaghi’s tactical discipline, honed during his successful stint at Inter, will be key to organizing Al-Hilal’s defense against a relentless Real Madrid side.
The clash at Hard Rock Stadium is a tantalizing prospect, pitting Real Madrid’s storied pedigree against Al-Hilal’s ambition and attacking firepower. For Alonso, the match offers a chance to win a trophy in his first competitive outing as Real Madrid’s manager, a feat that would cement his credentials and galvanize a squad eager to move past last season’s disappointments. A sixth Club World Cup title would further solidify Real Madrid’s status as the competition’s most successful club, following their triumphs in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2022. For Al-Hilal, the game is an opportunity to make a statement on the global stage, to prove that their high-scoring form in the Saudi Pro League can translate against Europe’s elite. The memory of their spirited performance in the 2022 final will fuel their belief, but overcoming a Real Madrid side led by Mbappe and managed by Alonso will require a near-perfect performance. As both teams take to the field in Miami, the clash of styles—Alonso’s possession-based approach against Inzaghi’s structured counterattacking system—promises a spectacle that will captivate fans and set the tone for their respective Club World Cup campaigns.
