Real Madrid, under Xabi Alonso and Simeone Inzaghi in charge of Al-Hilal, kick off their new era by facing each other in a blockbuster opening Group H game of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
RM vs HLL Match Details
Date: Wednesday, 18 June 2025 / Thursday, 19 June 2025
Time: 12:00 (EDT) / 00:30 (IST)
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
RM vs HLL Match Preview
The final season of Carlo Ancelotti’s second stint at Real Madrid did not have a happy ending as the club were beaten to the league and cup titles by a revived and exciting Barcelona team while they only managed to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League. It was a major shortfall for Los Blancos, who won the treble last year, despite buying the French superstar Kylian Mbappe from PSG last summer. While the 26-year-old had a fantastic individual season, the other aspects of his play and injuries plagued the team, which led to the club appointing former player and legend, Xabi Alonso to usher in a new era. The Spaniard caught global attention after leading Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title in history without losing a game all season, breaking Bayern Munich’s monopoly on the league. Alonso arrived at the club where he made over 200 appearances aṇd won several accolades as a more modern manager and more tactically astute than others Real had on their touchline. He will get to show his genius only a month after his appointment in the new FIFA Club World Cup, which the club would target to win to forget their underwhelming campaign and begin the new era with a trophy. That will only feed into Alonso’s reputation and make the board pleased about the decision to appoint him, but it lies on the Spaniard’s capability to handle the pressure of a big club.
Real Madrid are expecting to win their group, containing Al-Hilal, Pachuca and Salzburg, although the Saudi Arabian giants will look to spoil the party of Alonso’s first game in charge as they have their own mastermind set to manage his debut game for the club in the competition. A day after suffering a record thumping in the hands of PSG in the UEFA Champions League final, his last game in charge with Inter, Simeone Inzaghi signed with the best side in Asian continental football, with a lot of legacy in putting the Nerazzurri back among the top brass in Serie A. While the success at his previous jobs is unquestionable, it remains to be seen how an attack-loving team adapt to the strategy of a defence-loving coach. Al-Hilal secured the 32-team Club World Cup spot by winning the 2021 AFC Champions League, their record-extending eighth title, but, like their opposition in the opening group game, they went downhill last season. It led to the sacking of Jorge Jesus, putting pressure on the new manager to take the club back to the top of the Saudi Pro League and continental competition, but first, the impact needs to come in the Club World Cup. The 15-time European winners will be their biggest obstacle in the group from taking the top spot, having also lost the 2023 Club World Cup final 5-3 to them. However, Al-Hilal believes that with their star-studded signings after the PIF-backed takeover in the same year, they are now better equipped to face the Spanish giants.
RM vs HLL Recent Form (all competitions)
RM: WLWWW
HLL: WWWDW
RM vs HLL Team News
There was a lot of talk about whether Xabi Alonso would implement a three-man backline system at Real Madrid that brought him success at Leverkusen. However, the Spaniard has shown his adaptable nature and will go with the usual back-four with new arrivals Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold, for whom they paid an extra $10 million in an otherwise free transfer to have him early for the competition, will be part of it. A string of injuries makes them light at the back, but that has not stopped Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga, Antonio Rudiger and Ferland Mendy from travelling to the USA. Endrick also misses out with a hamstring injury.
The main focus for Al-Hilal is their squad’s adaptation as they lineup in an unplayed before 3-5-2 formation under Inzaghi. Kalidou Koulibaly, Hassan Tambakti and Ali Al-Bulayhi are expected to make the back-three, with Aleksandar Mitrovic and the club’s star player in the competition, Salem Al-Dawsari, making the front-two. Malcolm had to take the unorthodox wingback role with João Cancelo taking the opposite flank, provided that he is fit.
RM vs HLL Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid
Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Huijsen, Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius
Al Hilal
Bono; Tambakti, Koulibaly, Al-Bulayhi; Cancelo, Neves, Kanno, Milinkovic-Savic, Malcolm; Mitrovic, S. Al-Dawsari
RM vs HLL Dream11 Match Prediction
Both teams’ new methodology will be put to the test, with both having some fascinating attacks but struggles in the backline. However, Al-Hilal’s adaptation to Inzaghi’s defensive makeup will take time to adapt than that of Alonso’s Real Madrid as they will be exposed to free-flowing football. Los Blancos will have the edge in the battle as they look to start a new era with a win. We predict a 3-1 victory.
RM vs HLL Dream11 Team Top picks
Captain Pick: Kylian Mbappé
Vice-captain Picks: Vinicius Jr, Aleksandar Mitrović
Others: Jude Bellingham, Salem Al-Dawsari
Our top pick for RM vs HLL Dream11 team is Kylian Mbappé who scored a stunning 43 goals in 56 matches making him the player to have the best debut season for Real Madrid
RM vs HLL Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Bounou (Cr - 7.5)
DEF: Trent (Cr - 8.5), Huijsen (Cr - 7.5), Cancelo (Cr - 7)
MID: Bellingham (Cr - 9), Milinkovic-Savic (Cr - 9), Valverde (Cr - 8.5), Al-Dawsari (Cr - 8.5)
FW: Vinicius (Cr - 8.5), Mitrovic (Cr - 8.5), Mbappe (Cr - 9)
Vice-captain: Vinicius Jr
Captain: Kylian Mbappé
