Both Red Bull Salzburg and Real Madrid are vying for a place in the Round of 16 of the global competition, and the outcome of this fixture could prove decisive, with both sides currently level on points. The Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia will host this crucial encounter on Friday.
Red Bull Salzburg started their Club World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over CF Pachuca. In their second outing against Saudi giants, Al-Hilal, the Austrian club got dominated, but a solid defensive performance meant they came out with a point.
They sit second in the group with four points, trailing Real Madrid only on goal difference. A win here will secure them a spot in the next round, but going past the most dominant team in Europe certainly won’t be easy.
Los Blancos started their Club World Cup campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal. While they did have their chances of securing all three points, they were not clinical enough.
In their second fixture against Pachuca, they suffered a massive blow quite early as Raul Asencio was sent off. But despite going down to ten men within the first 10 minutes of the game, Alonso’s men managed to dominate the proceedings and came out on top with the scoreline of 3-1.
A win over Salzburg will guarantee them top spot, while a draw will be enough to secure a place in the top two. However, Al-Hilal, currently on two points, could still leapfrog them with a win over CF Pachuca. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
The Austrian club will be without the services of Takumu Kawamura, Alexander Schlager, and Moussa Yeo. Apart from the trio, everyone else should be available for selection.
Thomas Letsch will most likely stick with the same XI that started in their last outing. Red Bull Salzburg will line up in a 4-2-2-2 formation, where teenager Christian Zawieschitzky will continue in goal.Stefan Lainer and Frans Kratzig are expected to be the full-backs for them, while Joane Gadou will partner with Jacob Rasmussen in the heart of the defence.
Mads Bidstrup and Soumaila Diabate will form the double pivot in the middle of the park. They will look to shield the backline. Nene Dorgeles and Oscar Gloukh will feature a touch further up in midfield. The duo will provide creativity as well as width to their attacks. In the strike partnership, Edmund Baidoo will partner with Karim Onisiwo.
Probable Lineup (4-2-2-2): Zawieschitzky; Lainer, Gadou, Ramussen, Kratzig; Bidstrup, Diabate; Nene, Gloukh; Onisiwo, Baidoo
The team in white remain without the services of Endrick, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga, and Ferland Mendy. Meanwhile, Raul Asencio is suspended following the red card last time out.
Real Madrid do have a boost as Kylian Mbappe is back in training ahead of the game against Red Bull Salzburg, and it will be interesting to see if Alonso hands him a start here. Real Madrid will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, where Thibaut Courtois will be in goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fran Garcia will feature as the full-backs, while Antonio Rudiger should replace Asencio and pair up with Dean Huijsen in the heart of the defence. Arda Guler could feature in a deeper role in midfield alongside Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham. The trio will look to control the tempo and ensure they dominate the proceedings.
Federico Valverde could once again feature in an advanced role on the right flank thanks to his ability to contribute on both ends of the pitch. Vinicius should continue on the left, while Mbappe should lead the line for Real Madrid against Red Bull Salzburg.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Fran Garcia; Guler, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Valverde, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr
Mbappe is back in training after missing the first two Club World Cup fixtures. While doubts remain over his match fitness, the 26-year-old is expected to start. He was in sensational form throughout the 2024/25 season, contributing to 48 goals in 56 appearances, including 43 strikes, averaging a goal every 107 minutes.
His return is a major boost for Xabi Alonso’s side, and the manager will be hoping the French superstar can make an immediate impact and guide them into the knockout stages.
Real Madrid head into this fixture knowing exactly what is at stake. A win guarantees them the top spot in the group, and even a draw will be enough to book a place in the next round. While Xabi Alonso’s side have not been at their very best so far, the return of Kylian Mbappe is a significant boost, and it could help them find their rhythm.
As for Red Bull Salzburg, they have done a great job in Group H so far and will back themselves to make it difficult for the Spanish giants. They will rely on a disciplined defensive shape and hope to hurt Madrid on the counter. However, given the gulf in individual quality and Madrid’s added motivation to finish top, it might be a step too far for the Austrian club this time. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for the team in white.
