Real Madrid Confidencial Xabi Alonso debuts with a surprising starting eleven, official line-up against Al-Hilal
Xabi Alonso has made his first line-up with Real Madrid official
Real Madrid is ready to make its debut in the Club World Cup against Al-Hilal at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
This match will be a tough test for Xabi Alonso and his players, who will go all out from the opening whistle.
"We've been here for several days. We're going to be better positioned and everything will work better. We have to recognize where we are, keep possession, and recover by keeping the team more compact. We've focused a lot on that. I've felt that the players are eager after closing a chapter. There are new faces and the moment is good for everyone. I can say a lot now, but tomorrow the rock and roll starts, the moment of truth," said the man from Tolosa at the press conference.
These words already made the Basque's ideas clear, but they've been confirmed with his first official line-up.
Without Mbappé
Xabi Alonso has put out the best line-up that the absences have allowed him, although it's a team with enough guarantees to secure the three points.
The two big surprises are Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold, the two new faces at the Madrid club, who will start against Al-Hilal at the Hard Rock Stadium.
However, the most notable absence is Kylian Mbappé, who two days ago developed a fever and was clearly affected, so he's not even on the bench and his place on the field will be taken by academy player Gonzalo, who will face a trial by fire for himself and for his future at the Madrid club.
"He was feeling a bit better today, but not well enough. It's very hot and it was better for him not to go out to train. We're going to wait for him until the last moment and tomorrow morning we'll decide," Xabi Alonso explained beforehand.
With this decision, the Basque has confirmed that the Parisian wasn't in his best condition, while waiting to see if he can be available for the match against Pachuca.
Real Madrid line-up
Courtois; Trent, Asencio, Huijsen, Fran García; Tchouaméni, Valverde, Bellingham, Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Gonzalo
More posts: