Anticipated Real Madrid Lineup for the Intercontinental Cup Final against Pachuca
Anticipated Real Madrid Lineup for the Intercontinental Cup Final against Pachuca
Qatar's Lusail Stadium will serve as the stage on a Wednesday evening, as Real Madrid aims for their inaugural title in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. Directly qualifying for the final due to their UEFA Champions League triumph, Los Blancos will square off against Mexican outfit Pachuca.
The Mexican side clinched their spot by winning the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup and went on to defeat Brazilian side Botafogo and Egyptian team Al Ahly on penalties in the semifinals, earning them a place in this encounter. The two rivals will be meeting for the first time in competitive matches.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti has several options to consider when it comes to his team selection, following their 3-3 draw with Rayo Vallecano. Despite this, it's anticipated that Vinícius Júnior will be reintroduced into the line-up, having been rested for the weekend La Liga game. His suspension for the following encounter against Sevilla means this could be his last appearance of the year.
Ancelotti might opt for utilizing a 4-4-2 formation much like the one used extensively during the 2023/24 season, with Jude Bellingham functioning between Vinícius and Rodrygo Goes as a pseudo-nine at times.
Team news for Real Madrid vs. Pachuca
Kylian Mbappé has made a speedy recovery from his thigh muscle injury and hopes to be a contender. Despite his inclusion in the squad, it's unlikely he'll start, with the possibility of entering the fray if Real Madrid requires additional offense.
Unfortunately for Real Madrid, Ferland Mendy remains on the mend and will not travel to Qatar with the squad. Instead, he will concentrate on recovering in time for the game against Sevilla.
Long-term knee injuries for Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, and Éder Militão have kept them out of action for several months, and unfortunately, they won't be available for this match either.
Projected Real Madrid lineup vs. Pachuca
Expected Real Madrid Lineup vs Pachuca (4-4-2): Thibaut Courtois; Lucas Vázquez, Aurélien Tchouameni, Antonio Rüdiger, Fran García; Luka Modrić, Federico Valverde, Arda Güler; Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo Goes, and Vinícius Júnior.
Defensively, Ancelotti is expected to maintain his faith in Lucas Vázquez as the right-back, and Aurélien Tchouameni, Antonio Rüdiger in central defense, with Fran García handling the left-back position due to Mendy's absence.
In the attack, Mbappé is expected to be kept on the bench, only coming in if an offensive boost is required. Arda Güler's impressive performances recently have prevented Brahim Díaz from securing a place in the starting lineup.
Five players from the Castilla reserve squad, including Raúl Asencio, who has recently seen action, have traveled to Doha with Real Madrid. Others like Fran González, Youssef Enriquez, Lorenzo Aguado, Víctor Muñoz, and Goalkeeper Gonzalo García are yet to make their first-team debuts.
Vinícius Júnior's potential return to the lineup for Real Madrid is highly anticipated, as he aims to make his last appearance of the year in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. Despite Kylian Mbappé's recovery from his thigh muscle injury, he is unlikely to start against Pachuca due to Ancelotti's tactical considerations. Vinícius will likely partner with Rodrygo Goes, with Bellingham functioning as a pseudo-nine, as Real Madrid seeks its inaugural title in the Intercontinental Cup final.