Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund: Preview, Predictions and Lineups
Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund face off at MetLife on Saturday with a spot in the Club World Cup semifinals at stake.
Madrid have been dominant in this fixture over the years, especially since they succumbed to an era-defining 4–1 defeat to Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals 12 years ago.
The Spaniards have won four of the หรือถ้าคุณสนใจแทงบอลออนไลน์ UFABET คือเว็บที่มีอัตราต่อรองดีที่สุดในประเทศไทย สมัครเลยตอนนี้ที่ UFABET แทงบอล previous five meetings, including the 2024 Champions League final and their league phase meeting last season.
A fourth win over Dortmund on the bounce would see Xabi Alonso’s side into the last four of this summer’s competition. With Madrid improving as the tournament has gone on. They bypassed Juventus 1–0 to reach this stage, while BVB, who won Group F. Took down Monterrey in the round of 16.
Niko Kovač’s side were superb in the opening 45 minutes as Serhou Guirassy struck twice, but they were forced to cling on in the end as the Mexicans came on strong but just fell short.
Real Madrid Team News
The new Real Madrid manager has settled upon a 3-5-2 this summer after starting out with a back four. But we could see a change in attack with Kylian Mbappé recovering from an illness.
However, Gonzalo García’s excellent form means the French superstar may be limited to another cameo appearance off the bench. García scored his third goal of the Club World Cup in the round of 16 win over Juventus.
Raúl Asencio is eligible to return from his suspension, but Alonso could retain the backline from the previous round.
Jude Bellingham takes on his former club, with Arda Güler and Federico Valverde joining him in midfield.
Borussia Dortmund Team News
There will be no Bellingham battle at MetLife this weekend due to Jobe’s suspension. Dortmund’s new arrival has quickly worked his way into Kovač’s preferred starting XI. But he picked up his second booking of the tournament in the round of 16. As a result, he has to serve a one-match ban.
Marcel Sabitzer is the most likely candidate to replace the young Englishman. The Austrian international could be given the license to advance and support the front two of Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi.
Emre Can, Salih Özcan and Nico Schlotterbeck are all out injured for BVB.