Xabi Alonso will have to decide whether to introduce the Frenchman or stick with the youth player, who excelled at the Club World Cup.
The good news for Xabi is that Kylian Mbappé is in better shape thanks to having trained more with the team, and those 20 minutes he had against Juventus were positive, as he was able to get back on the pitch after suffering from gastroenteritis. Even so, there is a question mark over whether the Tolosa native will start him, as Gonzalo García has become Real Madrid’s main reference point in the No. 9 position. In fact, the Spaniard is on a roll, having scored three goals (against Al-Hilal, Salzburg, and Juventus) and provided one assist.
All in all, he is the only reasonable question mark, aside from Antonio Rüdiger, as the German has played two consecutive matches coming off an injury. There’s also room for bad news, as both Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr. are cautioned, and if they receive a yellow card, they would be suspended and unable to play due to this accumulation against Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich should they advance to the semifinals. Thus, the two stars will have to be very careful and prevent Ramon Abatti from issuing cards. In any case, this is the only noteworthy negative aspect.
DORTMUND AND ITS IRREGULARITY
Niko Kovac’s Borussia Dortmund has taken over from Edin Terzic, Nuri Sahin, and Mike Tullberg, all from last season, and their inconsistency is palpable. Jobe Bellingham, Jude’s brother, will miss the match, and there won’t be a family match as everyone expected. Even so, the Yellows’ main reference is Guirassy, who saved his team against Rayados with two beautifully crafted goals. Even so, the Germans aren’t exactly in a strong position, having struggled in all four matches at the Club World Cup.
Possible Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Tchouameni, Huijsen, Fran García; Valverde, Bellingham, Güler; Vinicius, and Gonzalo.
Possible Borussia Dortmund XI: Kobel; Ryerson, Süle, Anton, Bensebaini, Svennson; Pascal Grob, Nmecha, Brandt; Guirassy, and Adeyemi.
Referee: Ramon Abatti (Brazil)
Stadium: MetLife Stadium (New Jersey).
TV and time: 22:00 / DAZN
