Real Madrid are still one of the top contenders for Club World Cup success despite drawing 1-1 with Al Ahly in their first match of the tournament.
The Spanish powerhouse are adjusting to the leadership of new manager Xabi Alonso and it may take some time for his strategies to pay off. With various defensive players sidelined due to injuries, Los Blancos may face challenges against Pachuca in Florida on Sunday.
Team news
Star forward Kylian Mbappe is uncertain to play after being hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis on Thursday.
Madrid have several defensive players on the injury list, with Antonio Rudiger having the best chance of being in the squad. However, there are doubts regarding the availability of Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Eder Militao, and Eduardo Camavinga.
Ferland Mendy and Endrick are ruled out, while new signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen are expected to maintain their spots in the starting lineup.
Pachuca have a full squad to choose from, and coach Jaime Lozano may opt for the same lineup that narrowly lost to RB Salzburg.
The stats
Real Madrid have kept a clean sheet in only two of their last seven matches, and in five of their last seven games, both teams have scored.
Real emerged victorious in their previous encounter with Pachuca, securing a 3-0 win at the 2024 Club World Cup.
Pachuca had 17 shots in their 2-1 defeat to RB Salzburg in their Club World Cup opener.
Prediction
Real Madrid faced a resilient Al Ahly in their first Club World Cup fixture and might encounter a tough challenge against Mexican side Pachuca at the Hard Rock Stadium.
While there is a gap in quality between the two teams, Real Madrid are adapting to a new manager, and the change in playing style under Alonso's management may take time for the LaLiga side to adjust to.
Alonso's debut game did not meet expectations, and it could be next season's LaLiga before we witness the former European champions back at their best.
Nevertheless, Real Madrid should still have the upper hand against Pachuca, and a victory for the Spanish side with both teams finding the net seems probable.
Recent struggles in keeping clean sheets and an understrength defensive lineup suggest that Pachuca could pose a threat, as indicated by their performance against Salzburg. Therefore, it is plausible that the Mexican team will score at least one goal against Real Madrid.