Two of Europe’s most decorated clubs collide as Real Madrid and Juventus face off in Tuesday’s Club World Cup last-16 encounter.
The match will be held with high stakes, as both sides target a place in the quarter-finals of a competition they’re desperate to conquer. With a blend of legacy, new talent, and form heading into this clash, fireworks are expected when these titans meet once again.
Match Overview
Real Madrid advanced as winners of Group H, securing seven points after recovering from a slow start. A frustrating draw against Al-Hilal was followed by wins over Pachuca and Salzburg, the latter being their most commanding performance, where stars like Vinicius Junior and Gonzalo Garcia got on the scoresheet.
The Spanish giants, now under the leadership of Xabi Alonso, are looking to reassert their dominance on the global stage.
Juventus, on the other hand, began their campaign with an emphatic 5-0 win over Al Ain and followed up with a convincing 4-1 result against Wydad AC. However, they stumbled in their final group match, suffering a 5-2 defeat to Manchester City that dropped them to second place in Group G.
Igor Tudor’s side now face an even tougher challenge against Real Madrid, with the winner set to meet either Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey in the quarter-finals.
Team News
Real Madrid could welcome Antonio Rudiger back to the starting XI after he left the pitch with cramp last time out. Eder Militao may return to the squad, and Kylian Mbappe is set to feature on the bench after recovering from illness.
However, Alonso will be without Dani Carvajal, Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, Endrick, and Ferland Mendy. Aurelien Tchouameni could once again be deployed in defense, while Gonzalo Garcia is likely to retain his role in the front two alongside Vinicius.
Juventus are expected to freshen up their lineup following the loss to City. Khephren Thuram returns to the midfield, with Kenan Yildiz, Francisco Conceicao, and Randal Kolo Muani likely to start in attack. Andrea Cambiaso is also set to come in as left wing-back, giving the Old Lady a more dynamic edge on the flanks.
Tactical Review
Juventus will look to tighten their defensive structure after conceding five against City. Tudor might lean on a back-three system with wing-backs providing cover, aiming to frustrate Real and spring forward on the break through the pace of Yildiz and Kolo Muani. The midfield trio, including Thuram and McKennie, will need to absorb Madrid’s creativity and prevent overloads.
Real Madrid, now adapting to Xabi Alonso’s methods, are expected to line up in a 3-5-2 formation that allows flexibility in transitions. Their midfield depth and attacking versatility could expose Juventus’ defensive vulnerabilities. Tchouameni’s role in the backline will be crucial to building from deep, while Bellingham and Valverde push forward to support the dynamic Garcia-Vinicius partnership.
How to Watch
The match will be streamed globally via DAZN. UK viewers can watch the action through the DAZN app on all devices, with post-match highlights available on DAZN’s official social media channels.
Predictions
Softfootball Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 Juventus
This high-stakes encounter may go the distance, but Real Madrid’s sharpness and squad depth could prove decisive. Juventus’ defensive lapses, as seen against Manchester City, may resurface under Madrid’s pressure. Expect a close game, but Los Blancos should edge it with narrow margin thanks to their attacking class and midfield dominance.