The Whites face key injuries as they meet the Egyptian giants in the Mundialito semi finals.
Real Madrid aims to claim the season title this week in Rabat, the Moroccan capital, where the team competes in the Club World Cup. Under Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid earned a spot straight through to the semi finals and will challenge Al Ahly, the Egyptian club that has emerged as a standout in the tournament thus far.
FOLLOW LIVE AT THE AL AHLY VS REAL MADRID CLUB WORLD CUP 2023
The Cairo club began their campaign in the round of 16, needing only one decisive performance to eliminate Auckland City of New Zealand. Guided by former Spanish player Albert Riera, Al Ahly dominated that meeting with a 3-0 victory. They then faced Seattle Sounders in the quarterfinals, becoming the first MLS side to advance to the Mundialito. Seattle won that encounter 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Afsha, despite Al Ahly’s strong overall display.
Madrid Carried by Absences
The upcoming clash demands careful attention from Real Madrid, who arrive in Morocco with several casualties weighing on their preparations. A raft of injuries rules out key names such as Thibaut Courtois, Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao, and Karim Benzema, with Lucas Vazquez and Eden Hazard also sidelined. In response, Ancelotti has taken five homegrown players to Morocco for this event, including goalkeepers Luis Lopez and Lucas Cañizares, defender Marvel, and midfielders Mario Martin and Sergio Arribas. The coach will need to adapt the lineup and balance the squad without these regulars.
In goal, Andriy Lunin will stand in for Courtois. In defense, David Alaba could return after his soleus injury, while Nacho Fernández is a flexible option at center back, with Eduardo Camavinga potentially in the left back role. In midfield, Madrid is expected to lean on its trusted trio Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Aurélien Tchouaméni; in attack, Fede Valverde and Vinicius Junior are the constants. The question remains whether Rodrygo Goes or Marco Asensio will partner them up front.
Al Ahly in Attack Doubts
Al Ahly is expected to field a familiar lineup that has delivered success in this Mundialito so far. The Cairo side, chasing the Premier League title back home, relies on a disciplined defense led by goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, who has been a steadying influence at the back. In the middle of the park, Senegalese playmaker Aliou Dieng partners with Hamdi Fathi and Amr El Solia to feed the attack. Up front, doubts linger as some experienced forwards such as Ahmed Abdelkader, Hussain El Shahat, and Mohamed Sherif compete with in-form attackers and seasoned imports like Percy Tau, formerly of Brighton, and Ammar Kahraba for a starting role.
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ALIGNMENTS AL AHLY V REAL MADRID
Al Ahly (4-3-3): El Shenawy; Hany, Mahmoud, Abdelmonem, Maaloul; Fathi, Dieng, El Solia; Tau or El Shahat, Sherif or Kahraba, Abdelkader
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Camavinga or Alaba; Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos; Valverde, Rodrygo or Asensio, Vinicius
WHEN AND WHERE THE MATCH TAKES PLACE
THE CALLS FOR AL AHLY V REAL MADRID
REAL MADRID
INJURED AND CREATED BY AL AHLY V REAL MADRID
AL AHLY
REAL MADRID
SCHEDULE AND LOCATION FOR AL AHLY V REAL MADRID
Recent Real Madrid results
Upcoming Real Madrid matches
Source: Goal