Real Madrid face Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup semi‑final with significant defensive challenges. The team must navigate past suspensions and injuries that directly impact squad depth and tactical options.
Suspended: Red‑Card Bans
During a chaotic quarter‑final win over Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid lost Dean Huijsen to a red card for conceding a stoppage‑time penalty. He will miss the semi‑final as a result.
Madrid must therefore field a backline without one of their promising defensive talents—a gap they will struggle to fill amid already limited options.
Injuries & Absentees
Éder Militão and David Alaba remain sidelined with long‑term knee injuries. Neither is available for this tournament .
Aurélien Tchouaméni is still recovering from a minor foot issue; he is unlikely to start and may not even make the bench.
These injuries further strain defensive depth, forcing coach Xabi Alonso to rely heavily on his remaining centre-backs.
Goalkeeper: Courtois Leading from the Back
Despite speculations of a long-term layoff, Thibaut Courtois has returned to form and remains Madrid’s first-choice goalkeeper for the tournament . He has been exceptional:
- His last-minute fingertip save prevented Dortmund from equalizing in injury time.
- Praised as “best goalkeeper in the world” for that decisive stop.
Courtois’s presence is vital, as Madrid’s weakened defence will require his intervention to maintain solidity.
Tactical Adjustments & Back‑Line Choices
With Huijsen suspended, Alaba and Militão injured, and Tchouaméni doubtful, Alonso has slim defensive options. Likely centre-back pairing includes:
- Antonio Rüdiger – Experienced, strong in the air.
- Jacobo Ramón or possibly a converted Tchouaméni – A stop-gap solution.
This partnership lacks speed and cohesion, meaning Madrid may have to:
- Deploy a deeper defensive line to avoid being exposed.
- Reinforce midfield with an extra cover—potentially using Camavinga, Kroos, or Tchouaméni (if fit).
Attacking Front & Midfield Matchups
Real Madrid should be unchanged upfront:
- Kylian Mbappé is expected to start after an impactful performance off the bench vs Dortmund.
- Gonzalo García may pair alongside him, riding on his goal-scoring form.
- Vinícius Júnior has retrained and will provide width and pace off the left.
- Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde will anchor midfield and deliver balance between defence and attack.
Outlook & Key Factors
- Defensive resilience will rely heavily on Courtois and his ability to command the area and make crucial saves gives Madrid a lifelin alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold.
- Midfield protection may be reinforced to cover slower centre-backs, possibly by sacrificing an attacker or using a five-man midfield when out of possession.
- Offensive punch, featuring Mbappé, García, and Vinícius, must click early to alleviate pressure on the back and control the game tempo.
Despite these defensive obstacles, Madrid’s experience and attacking firepower make them slight favourites—provided Courtois continues to perform at his impressive best.