Real Madrid vs. Juventus: Confirmed lineups for the Round of 16 in the Club World Cup

The signs around Kylian Mbappé are very, very positive for th Real Madrid vs Juventus match for the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16. He’s been fully participating in training sessions with the team for several days now, rebuilding muscle in the gym, and shaking off the lingering effects of his bout with gastroenteritis.

He’s steadily returning to his usual form and is almost at 100%. But not quite. And that’s what opens up the debate: should he start even if he still needs a little more time to be at peak fitness… or should Real Madrid stick with Gonzalo? The decision is still pending.

A similar dilemma exists at the heart of the defense: Rüdiger or Asensio? That’s the other question.

Both are fit and available. The main uncertainty is whether Rüdiger is ready to handle two intense matches within five days. The alternative would be to bring Asensio back into the lineup, though he’s had a disappointing Club World Cup campaign so far—missing a penalty in the opener and getting sent off in the second match. He knows it, and he’s eager to turn things around.

Yellow card warning

Xabi Alonso will make the final call—whether to stick with Asensio or turn to Rüdiger. One player who will take the field but needs to be cautious is Vinícius Júnior, the only Madrid player on a yellow card. If he picks up another and the team advances, he would miss the quarterfinals.

Aside from these few decisions, the rest of the lineup is expected to be Madrid’s strongest eleven.

Probable lineups – Real Madrid vs. Juventus

Real Madrid: Courtois; Tchouaméni, Rüdiger, Huijsen; Fran García, Valverde, Bellingham, Arda Güler, Trent; Gonzalo, Vinícius.

Juventus: Di Gregorio; Kelly, Gatti, Kalulu; Cambiaso, Locatelli, Thuram, Costa; Conceição, Kolo Muani, Yıldız.