After several matches that drew attention for different reasons, the fourth day of the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 will arguably feature the most historic clash of all. In a showdown between UEFA Champions League winners, Real Madrid will face off against Juventus in Miami.
With over 24 hours to go until kickoff, Xabi Alonso is fully focused on finalizing his starting eleven. Based on results, there’s no doubt that the team has improved since their group stage opener—a draw against Al Hilal. Convincing wins over Pachuca and Salzburg have given the new coach more clarity on how to approach the knockout rounds. Within that context, the return of Endrick is welcome news for Real Madrid.
The young Brazilian striker was left out of the squad that initially traveled to the United States due to a severe ankle injury that had sidelined him since March. The original plan was for him to complete his recovery in Spain and join the team only if they advanced past the group stage—and that’s exactly what happened. He arrived at the team’s base camp and participated in his first training session on U.S. soil yesterday afternoon.
Given the circumstances, it’s unlikely that Endrick will see action on Tuesday. His lack of match fitness could present major challenges against Juventus’ physically dominant defense. The most likely scenario is a brief appearance off the bench—if the match situation calls for it. Otherwise, Alonso appears satisfied with the current front line of Vinícius Júnior and Gonzalo García.
Mbappé’s status
The absence of Endrick wasn’t the primary reason Real Madrid’s head coach abandoned the usual three-man attack in favor of a two-forward setup and an extra midfielder. That tactical change stemmed from the fact that Kylian Mbappé has yet to play a single minute in the Club World Cup.
Medical staff report that the Frenchman is steadily recovering from the bout of food poisoning that led to his recent hospitalization. However, that doesn’t mean he’s ready to return just yet. For now, he’s taking part in light training sessions, with the club opting for a cautious approach to his reintegration.
