Real Madrid vs Dortmund

Since defeating Juventus, Real Madrid have advanced to the Club World Cup quarter-finals, showcasing impressive form under new manager Xabi Alonso. His high-energy, tactically versatile approach has propelled Los Blancos past Al-Hilal, Pachuca, and Red Bull Salzburg in the group stage, with a standout performance against Juventus, where seven players contributed to 11 shots on target. Academy product Gonzalo Garcia sealed the win with a decisive second-half goal.

Unbeaten in their 16 Club World Cup matches, with five titles since 2014, Real Madrid now face Borussia Dortmund in their 20th tournament game. The Spanish giants have dominated Dortmund recently, including a 5-2 victory in October 2024 and last season’s Champions League final, though Dortmund’s sole knockout win over Real came in 2013.

Dortmund, revitalized under coach Niko Kovac, have surged from 11th to fourth in the Bundesliga, securing Champions League qualification. Their Club World Cup campaign included a draw with Fluminense, a high-scoring win over Mamelodi Sundowns, and a victory against Ulsan HD.

In the round of 16, Serhou Guirassy’s two early goals, assisted by Karim Adeyemi, dispatched Monterrey. Unbeaten in their last 10 matches, Dortmund aim for their first Club World Cup title, having won the Intercontinental Cup in 1997.

Alonso, familiar with Dortmund from his Bayer Leverkusen tenure, may adjust his 3-5-2 formation, with Kylian Mbappé, recently recovered, competing with the in-form Garcia upfront.

Jude Bellingham, formerly of Dortmund, faces his old club, but his brother Jobe is suspended. Dortmund’s Marcel Sabitzer or Julian Brandt could replace him, while Guirassy remains their key attacking threat.

Injuries sideline Dortmund’s Emre Can, Salih Ozcan, and Nico Schlotterbeck, and Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, Endrick, and Ferland Mendy. Real’s possible lineup: Courtois; Rudiger, Tchouameni, Huijsen; Alexander-Arnold, Bellingham, Valverde, Guler, Garcia; Mbappé, Vinicius.

While Real Madrid’s history and form make them favorites, Dortmund’s recent resurgence suggests they could challenge the Spanish giants in this highly anticipated clash.