Three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs RB Salzburg | FIFA Club World Cup | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s third and final group stage game of the FIFA Club World Cup kicks off late on Thursday night and will be against the co-leaders in Group H – RB Salzburg.

The Austrian opposition have won one game and drawn their other so far, just like Real Madrid – and their only draw came against the same team that held Los Blancos to a draw in Al-Hilal. Needless to say, that serves as a testament to their quality and ability to pull off an upset.

The last time the two sides met was in the UEFA Champions League last season where Real Madrid defeated them with a comprehensive margin.

This time, however, Salzburg are far more organised and defensively solid and taking them down will require far more than it did the last time.

Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs RB Salzburg.

A clear objective in mind

Real Madrid’s single biggest objective against RB Salzburg, as is the case for all teams at this stage in the tournament, will be to guarantee their place in the knockout stages.

They are almost guaranteed a spot on the next round as long as they do not drop points, and will thus look to even possibly finish on top of the group.

The standings ahead of the game place Los Blancos in a favourable situation with them currently in joint first place alongside Salzburg. Both teams are on four points each but Real Madrid lead in terms of goal difference.

Even a draw will be enough to seal Real Madrid’s place in the next round, but they must win to confirm a place as the leaders of the group and secure a favourable tie in the next round. A defeat, however, can even see them eliminated if Al-Hilal take all three points against Pachuca.

Real Madrid cannot afford to slack out and must be at the top of their game for nothing can be taken for granted. The Austrian outfit have been in good form this campaign and nothing about the game will be easy for Los Blancos, especially given the threat Salzburg can pose on the wing.

Mbappe’s absence continues

Mbappe still not ready. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappe’s severe bout of gastroenteritis has left the player more frail than ever before and with a serious dip in body condition and muscle mass.

The player returned to group training ahead of the Salzburg clash and was initially expected to be available for selection on the night. Now, however, his participation is ruled out after the manager decided that he is better preserved for the knockouts.

The Frenchman’s absence has left a noticeable void in Real Madrid’s attack in recent games as the attack has looked anything but sharp in the final third. They will again have to do without him in the final group stage game and must thus step up their game in attack.

Alonso is expected to persist with the pair of Vincius Jr and Gonzalo Garcia in attack. Needless to say, it is a massive game for the Brazilian talisman who has been out of the goals for a long time now and has a point to prove.

For Garcia, meanwhile, it may end up being his final start for a while and he will look to continue his good work in front of goal and earn further opportunities under Alonso.

With Mbappe absent, however, a part of the onus of the goalscoring will once again fall on the shoulders of the midfield.

All three goals came from the middle of the park in the last game and the likes of Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde will look to get on the scoresheet once more.

The aftermath of a suspension

Real Madrid were expected to make easy work of Pachuca at the weekend and eventually did so despite playing a man down for over 80 minutes. Their journey, however, would have been easier had Raul Asencio not had himself sent off for an unnecessary foul.

The youngster’s hot-headed decision cost the team in the previous game in terms of the effort put in and will continue to have its effect on the game tonight. After all, Asencio was a regular starter in this event and will now be suspended for the final group-stage clash.

Dean Huijsen will continue to start for Real Madrid in defence tonight, especially given his great run of form. However, the big question for Alonso is over who will join him at centre-back tonight.

Antonio Rudiger would appear to be the best-placed name, especially given his experience and importance in the team before his surgery.

Given that he just returned from injury at the weekend and that he has played just 12 minutes in the last two months, however, complicates Alonso’s decision.

If Rudiger is fit to start, there is little to no doubt that he will play from minute one. In the likely scenario that he isn’t, however, the manager must keep backup options.

Jacobo Ramon is a direct, like-for-like replacement for the coach to consider especially given that he is a centre-back by trade and that Alonso usually counts on youngsters.

There is, however, a good chance he may go down the Carlo Ancelotti route as well by playing Aurelien Tchouameni out of position and in central defence.