European giants Real Madrid are all set to go up against Al Hilal in the Club World Cup final on Saturday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Morocco. While Real Madrid will feature in the final for the sixth time, Al Hilal have created history and entered the final for the very first time.
Los Blancos have won the Club World Cup final on four occasions. And, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are hoping to make it five when they face the Saudi Arabian club. The last time Real Madrid won the tournament was four years back.
Los Blancos lifted the Club World Cup for the first time in 2014 after defeating San Lorenzo in the final. Their first-ever triumph in the global event was under the leadership of Ancelotti and now 9 years later he is all set to guide them to their fifth title. They were a part of the inaugural edition of the tournament back in 2000 but failed to get it done that year.
As far as their opponents Al Hilal are concerned, they have already created history by making it this far in the tournament. They are the first Saudi Arabian team to feature in the final. The Saudi Arabian side defeated Flamengo in a thrilling game that saw five goals being scored.
Al Hilal qualified for the tournament as the holders of the AFC Champions League. They have featured in this tournament two times in the past and in their third attempt they have made it into the final.
The Blue Waves will believe that they can overcome a tough challenge in Real Madrid. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at this fixture between two big clubs from their respective leagues and analyses the team and their tactics.
Los Blancos will be without the services of Ferland Mendy, Eden Hazard, Lucas Vazquez, and Thibaut Courtois who are out injured. While Dani Carvajal and Marco Asensio will return to the squad after being out of the semi-final.
Ramón Díaz aware of the threat that Real possesses and as result, Odion Ighalo and Moussa Marega are two of their star players who will start against Real Madrid. Vietto who came on as a sub in the semi-final will hope to have a place in the starting XI.
