Real Madrid News
Real Madrid veteran eager for FIFA Club World Cup challenge – ‘It will be a success’
Real Madrid veteran right back Dani Carvajal has shared his enthusiasm for the first-ever expanded Club World Cup, set to take place in the United States between June and July, and believes the competition will be “a complete success.”
The Spanish defender, currently in the final stretch of his recovery from injury, spoke to FIFA (h/t Mundo Deportivo) about the significance of the tournament and what it means for Los Blancos.
Carvajal emphasised the uniqueness of the event, noting that the format and host nation will give it the feel of an international football festival:
“Well, I think it’s going to be great. I imagine it will be similar to a World Cup for national teams because the entire country will be experiencing the tournament with such intensity. I think it’s going to be a huge success.”
Everyone is looking forward
Real Madrid are drawn into Group H alongside Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Pachuca (Mexico), and Red Bull Salzburg (Austria), and Carvajal is confident that his team is prepared for the challenge, thanks to previous encounters with these sides.
“So we have some experience playing against them. We are looking forward to June 18th to play our first match against Al-Hilal,” he added.
Carvajal highlighted that one of the most exciting aspects of the Club World Cup is the diversity of opposition.
Facing champions from different continents means Madrid will need to adapt quickly to a variety of playing styles—something Carvajal welcomes.“It’s going to be special because of the mix of different playing styles, leagues, and continents.”
Meanwhile, it is to be noted that the competition will also mark a new chapter for Real Madrid under incoming manager Xabi Alonso, who will take over after the European season concludes.
Real Madrid News
Rayo Vallecano manager names the one Real Madrid figure he would remove from the team
Rayo Vallecano face a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on a wounded Real Madrid this weekend.
Life after Inigo Perez has not been kind to the Vallecas-based club, who have already had to travel to Camp Nou and now face a trip to the home of their city giants.
Speaking ahead of the game (h/t Madrid Xtra), Rayo Vallecano manager Benat San Jose was asked which Real Madrid player he would like to remove from the team before this weekend’s game.
Surprisingly, his choice was not Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior or Thibaut Courtois.
“Mourinho”
Asked which Madrid player he would take out of the upcoming contest, Benat jokingly chose the man sitting on the opposition bench.
“Which Real Madrid player I’d remove from the match against them? Mourinho,” Benat said with a laugh.
The answer might have been delivered jokingly, but the Rayo coach immediately made clear just how highly he rates the Portuguese manager.
“He’s one of the best managers in history,” he added.
It is significant praise ahead of Saturday’s meeting at the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s squad contains enough individual quality to give any opposition coach several obvious answers, but Benat instead highlighted the influence Mourinho can have over the entire team.
That has become particularly relevant since the Portuguese coach returned to Madrid. His early work has focused on making a talented group function with greater collective discipline.
Courtois and Madrid’s attack also praised
Benat did not stop with the manager.
“They also have one of the best GKs in history and one of the best attackers in history,” he said.
Benat will definitely have seen how Thibaut Courtois played against Inter Milan in midweek and will hope that version does not turn up again this weekend.
Even when teams manage to create opportunities against Madrid, they still have to beat one of the defining goalkeepers of his generation.
At the opposite end, Madrid possess attacking quality capable of turning a match on its head.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham can all decide matches single-handedly.
Madrid have a point to prove
Madrid are coming off a disappointing loss to Real Betis in La Liga last weekend and will come into this game with a point to prove.
They will want to ensure that the loss to the Andalusian club was a one-off and that they return to winning ways against Rayo.
Their title rivals, Barça, have been flying high in the league, scoring goals and picking opponents apart for fun.
Madrid need to ensure that they do not hand too much early incentive to Barça, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos fare against Rayo Vallecano.
