Xabi Alonso's introduction to life in the Real Madrid dugout has not been a seemless one. The tone in the Madrid camp is one of urgency rather than comfort after a 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal. Kylian Mbappe is out of action because of a case of gastroenteritis, and there is no clear timeframe for his return, which has created a big hole in the attack. Vinicius Junior, who was supposed to step up in Mbappe's absence, had a hard time making an impression against the Saudi side, raising questions about his form and confidence, which was short of its usual high level last season. The shining light from that first game was Gonzalo Garcia, an academy product who netted his first goal for the club.
It's far too early to be drawing any radical conclusions about Alonso at Madrid, but there seemed to be a feeling amongst the fan base that bringing in a more "tactical" coach than Ancelotti would quickly yield greater performances. What should be blatantly clear is that Carlo Ancelotti is one of the greatest managers this sport has seen, and improving on his tenure is goingt to take quite some doing.
Madrid have little room for error in Group H after the draw with Al-Hilal. Alonso is still getting used to being head coach, and he will have to show his ability to adapt and lead as he tries to get the team back on track and satisfy the astronomically high expectations that come with being manager of Real Madrid.
Pachuca return to the Club World Cup representing Liga MX, eager to make an impression on the global stage. Managed by Jaime Lozano, the Mexican side have travelled with a 30-man squad blending youth and experience. Their campaign began with a group match against Red Bull Salzburg, a key test ahead of this high-profile encounter with Madrid.
Pachuca’s approach is typically energetic and disciplined, with a focus on quick transitions and collective organisation. The squad includes a number of promising young talents alongside seasoned professionals, and their domestic form has been strong enough to earn them this continental berth. The expanded Club World Cup format presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the side: Pachuca are underdogs for every game they play, but they arrive with the confidence of a side used to competing in high-stakes matches.
Key players to watch include their creative midfielders and quick wide players, who will look to exploit any uncertainty in Madrid’s defensive structure. With the group still wide open, a positive result here would put Pachuca in a strong position to advance.
Real Madrid 3-0 Pachuca
