Real Madrid Vs. Pachuca Club World Cup Line Up: Galactico Sits Out

Real Madrid will continue its Club World Cup campaign without Kylian Mbappe, who won’t play any part in Los Blancos’ second group game against Pachuca on Sunday afternoon in the United States.

President Florentino Perez’s summer of 2024 Galactico was taken to hospital earlier this week, after coming down with what the club described as an “acute case of gastroenteritis”.

As confirmed by his head coach Xabi Alonso at a prematch press conference on Saturday, however, the Frenchman has sinec returned to the La Liga giant’s Palm Becah training complex and could make his return to action in Madrid’s next outing.

“He is better, he returned from the hospital and is recovering. We are optimistic to have him against Salzburg,” Alonso said.

Scoring in the 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal that was Madrid’s opener, academy prospect Gonzalo will replace the Frenchman once more and received praise from his manager.

“He can contribute what he did the other day, he is a striker who can be a reference, and he had three chances in addition to the goal,” Alonso said.

“We didn’t have so many players in the area, but we’ll see in the future. Now we’re focused on this competition. Decisions will be made later,” the Spaniard added.

Completing the front line will be Rodrygo and a Vinicius Jr. who was criticized back home for still not being his best against opposition hailing from the Pro League which he’s been linked with a big money move to.

After saying he doesn’t believe Madrid has to help recover the Brazilian’s best version, Alonso stated that Vinicius is doing “well”.

“But we all want to push to make him decisive as he has been so many times,” Alonso accepted. “He has that unpredictable football that makes him different. When he can connect on the pitch with his essence, he is fundamental”.

As for the rest of the line up, Thibaut Courtois again starts in goal while Fran Garcia and Trent Alexander are the full backs.

Dean Huijsen and Raul Asencio form a central defensive partnership, and have Aurelien Tchouameni in front of them for protection as a sole pivot.

With Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde the midfielders, the front line is as stated with Vinicius, Gonzalo and Rodrygo from left to right.

Real Madrid First XI Vs. Pachuca: Courtois; Fran, Huijsen, Asencio, Trent; Tchouameni, Bellingham, Valverde; Vinicius, Gonzalo, Rodrygo

Real Madrid needs a win in the Club World Cup

After drawing against Al-Hilal, Real Madrid needs a win in at Pachuca’s expense to take the pressure off Alonso’s men and put one foot into the next round.