Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid starting lineup against Al Ahly | FIFA Club World Cup
Real Madrid will lock horns with Egyptian giants Al Ahly in a little while as they look to book a place in the finals of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Los Blancos entered the tournament at the semi-final stage following their UEFA Champions League triumph last season. Meanwhile, Al Ahly had to see off challenges from Auckland City and Seattle Sounders to book a place in the final-four stage.
And, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has named the starting XI for the game against the Egyptian outfit who have not lost a game since August 2022.
With Thibaut Courtois injured, Andriy Lunin starts in goal for Los Blancos while Antonio Rudiger pairs up with the fit-again David Alaba at centre-back.
Dani Carvajal has been left out of the starting XI at the last minute due to illness, with Nacho Fernandez slotting in at right-back. Eduardo Camavinga, meanwhile, continues to operate as a makeshift left-back for Real Madrid.
Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are back in the starting XI after being benched for the La Liga clash vs Mallorca over the weekend. Aurelien Tchouameni partners the veteran duo in the centre of the park for Real Madrid.
Marco Asensio has become the latest casualty for Real Madrid and misses out of the lineup, with Federico Valverde starting on the right flank. Rodrygo Goes starts through the middle in Karim Benzema’s absence while Vinicius Jr. starts on the left.
📋✅ ¡Our starting Xl 🆚 @AlAhlyEnglish !#ClubWC pic.twitter.com/oh2iHYSp6w
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 8, 2023
Real Madrid fans were dealt with a massive blow when star player Antonio Rudiger was left out of the squad against Real Valladolid, allegedly due to knee discomfort.
The injury sparked fears over his absence in the upcoming Copa Del Rey semifinal against Barcelona.
However, according to a report from Sergio Quirante, Rudiger’s knee injury is not thought to be serious. It appears the decision to leave him out of the squad against Valladolid may only be a precaution, with the defender set to undergo ultrasonic tests tomorrow.
Rudiger, whose injury scare came just 48 hours before Real Madrid’s big game against Barcelona, has been a stellar success in the club’s backline this season.
The German international has emerged as a real leader at the back, using his experience and authority to good effect. Although Real Madrid’s defence has left a lot to be desired this season, Rudiger has been one of the bright sparks.
His potential absence, therefore, could serve as a major blow for Los Blancos, in their hopes to reach the Copa Del Rey semifinal next week.
Real Madrid are heading into this semifinal with a 1-0 defeat in the first leg, meaning keeping a clean sheet could be mandatory if they are to overturn the deficit and book a place in the final. Rudiger, in that regard, could prove to be a vital asset.
In the meantime, Real Madrid are heading into the Valladolid game with David Alaba and Eder Militao as two of the only reliable centre-backs in the team. Among the two, Alaba has struggled with injuries this season, so it will be interesting to see how Carlo Ancelotti deals with this tricky situation this afternoon.
