Juventus, a Litmus Test for Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid

The Club World Cup finally enters its truly competitive phase, also for Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid. The Spanish side, having improved through the group stage, tests its progress against a rival that, while not among the top contenders for the Champions League in recent years, possesses the pedigree to examine the progress of the Basque coach on the Madrid bench.

Following a hesitant draw against Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal (1-1) in Madrid's tournament debut, which showed that the Chamartín team still resembled Ancelotti's more than a new era sketch, two solid victories followed against less demanding opponents.

Against Pachuca (3-1), Madrid overcame Asencio's early red card and showed signs of improvement through Arda Güler's new role in playmaking, although Courtois deserved much credit for the win. Against Salzburg (0-3), the system of three central defenders and deep wing-backs - Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fran García - was evident, with Güler playing an even more crucial role in initiating plays, and once again, Huijsen's ball distribution and the outstanding performance of the youth player Gonzalo in attack were positive notes.

All these notable aspects in a team still under construction are now under the spotlight in the first knockout match in the Club World Cup against the Vecchia Signora, dazzling against the weak Al Ain (0-5) and Wydad Casablanca (4-1) but disappointing against Manchester City (2-5), in a match that exposed the limitations of Igor Tudor's side, like Xabi Alonso, still adapting as he debuts on the fly in this tournament.

It is true that the Croatian coach altered his 3-4-3 formation with three defenders and very deep players on the flanks against Guardiola's powerful team. He also left out Khéphren Thuram, the anchor in the 'bianconero' midfield, and the starting attacking trio of Conceiçao, Kolo Muani, and Yildiz, capable of scoring seven goals in the first two matches, aiming to rotate and keep his team fresh for the round of 16 in a critical moment of the season for European representatives.

Presumably, the version of Juventus that Real Madrid will face will be that of their first two tournament matches, with Gatti replacing Savona, who injured his left ankle against City. The match will therefore be the first significant test for a revamped defense with the additions of Trent and Huijsen, the return of Rüdiger, and the inclusion of Tchouaméni under a system very similar to the one that propelled Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.

The Tolosa coach seems to have found the key, with a 3-5-2 formation that gives wings to Trent and Fran García, full-backs with more offensive than defensive qualities, and has found a place for Güler in a midfield where the Turk provides the vision to find the right pass and Valverde compensates for the Ottoman's physical shortcomings with the immense energy in the back-and-forth that the Uruguayan always guarantees, who also has two goals in the Club World Cup.

Bellingham, in that hybrid role so characteristic of the Englishman but with more presence in midfield; Vinicius, who after a disappointing start to the tournament finally opened the jar of essences with a goal and a fantasy backheel assist against Salzburg; and the commendable Gonzalo, the other white scorer in a championship where he has two goals, complete a Madrid starting eleven that seems quite clear pending Mbappé's recovery.

The Frenchman rejoined training with the group on Sunday, during the white team's preparation session at The Gardens North County District Park in Palm Beach, where Madrid's headquarters for this Club World Cup is located. However, his inclusion in the lineup seems a bit rushed after the acute gastroenteritis that led to hospitalization for various tests and treatment, a process that caused weight loss and significantly affected his physical condition.

The other doubt in the Madrid lineup is in the heart of the defense, as Xabi Alonso must choose between the reintegrated Rüdiger, who loosened up in the final stretch against Pachuca and started against Salzburg playing almost 70 minutes, and Asencio, who is available after serving a one-match suspension for his direct red card in the second matchday and whose benching could indicate the questionable performance of the Canary Islander in this championship.

With these ingredients, the match between the most successful teams in Spain and Italy, the star round of 16 tie in a World Cup so far lacking in clashes between giants, promises to raise the competitive temperature of the tournament and revive great moments in the Champions League, with the finals of 1998, where Real Madrid reclaimed the European throne 32 years later, and 2018, when the white team scored in a memorable second half, as crown jewels.

Real Madrid: Courtois, Trent, Rüdiger, Tchouaméni, Huijsen, Fran García, Valverde, Güler, Bellingham, Gonzalo, and Vinicius.

Juventus: Di Gregorio, Alberto Costa, Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly, Cambiaso, McKennie, Thuram, Conceiçao, Kolo Muani, and Yildiz.

Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland).

Stadium: Hard Rock (Miami).

Time and TV: 21:00 h. Telecinco and DAZN.