KLIK SAJA - Real Madrid are set to officially begin the Xabi Alonso era when they face Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in the opening match of the Club World Cup this Wednesday at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami.
This match promises to be particularly exciting, as it marks the managerial debut for both Xabi Alonso and Simone Inzaghi at their respective clubs—two tacticians going head-to-head in a battle of fresh ideas and strategies.
Despite winning the UEFA Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup, Real Madrid's 2024-25 season was widely seen as a disappointment, as they fell short in the La Liga title race to Barcelona and lost in both the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup finals.
Following the underwhelming season, veteran manager Carlo Ancelotti stepped down a year before his contract ended to take over as head coach of the Brazil national team.
Xabi Alonso was quickly appointed as his successor, leaving Bayer Leverkusen after a highly successful stint.
He returns to the club where he made 236 competitive appearances and won several major trophies, including a La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League.
The 43-year-old has already seen the squad bolstered with new signings such as Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Franco Mastantuono—although the latter will only join after the tournament.
Alonso has a golden opportunity to lift a trophy before even beginning his first full season, as Real Madrid aim for their sixth Club World Cup title, having previously claimed it in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2022.
The Spanish giants are heavily favored to top Group H, with upcoming matches against Mexico’s Pachuca and Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg following the opener against Al-Hilal.
Just two weeks ago, Simone Inzaghi was on the sidelines for Inter Milan as they suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to PSG in the Champions League final.
He left the club shortly after by mutual consent, ending a successful four-year tenure that included one Serie A title, two Coppa Italia trophies, and two Italian Super Cups.
A day after his Inter exit, Inzaghi was announced as the new head coach of Al-Hilal, who finished second in the Saudi Pro League—13 points behind champions Al-Ittihad.
Inzaghi’s immediate task is to guide his new side through the Club World Cup group stage, though their opening match against 15-time European champions Real Madrid will be a huge challenge.
Still, Al-Hilal are not without threat, having scored 95 goals across 34 league matches—more than any other team in the Saudi Pro League last season.
