RealMadridConfidencial Neither Mbappé nor Gonzalo: Xabi Alonso's toughest decision against Juventus
Xabi Alonso is seriously considering the team's starting eleven for tomorrow's match
Tomorrow, Real Madrid will face Juventus in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup, and the Merengue team wants to win at all costs. Xabi is calm, because the team is improving and is already getting back some players who were out. For this reason, he feels like the favorite to advance to the quarterfinals.
Even so, he has a lot of respect for Juventus, which is why he's still considering the starting eleven. The system he will use to beat the Italians hasn't been released yet, but either of the two options is good. The main doubt would be about the choice of one footballer.
"Xabi Alonso is facing a dilemma. He must choose between Rüdiger and Asencio to partner with Dean Huijsen in defense against Juventus," they claim in Marca. The Madrid youth academy player is coming off two consecutive mistakes and serving a suspension, and Rüdiger still isn't at 100%.
Trusts Asencio
Despite the mistakes he has made, at Real Madrid they have a lot of trust in Raúl Asencio, and they believe he will redeem himself. He has had a very good season with the first team, taking on responsibility and performing against tough opponents. He has the mentality and ability to be an important center-back.
He may not be an undisputed starter, but he is a footballer who could have a profile like Nacho Fernández. Obviously, the differences must be acknowledged because Nacho ended up being a legend, but Raúl is still young and can improve. For now, he is performing well, which is why several teams have shown interest in signing him.
Rüdiger's experience
The German defender has a contract until June 30, 2026, and at Madrid they are considering his renewal. It's true that he has a chronic knee problem and just had meniscus surgery, but the player is already available. Xabi is considering whether it's better to go with him tomorrow or to put Asencio back in.
Xabi must weigh everything and choose the option he believes is best for the team's performance. Tomorrow, it's essential to have a good match to advance to the next round and keep up the team's morale.
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