Real Madrid needs to improve its image against Pachuca

Real Madrid play their second group stage match of the Club World Cup tonight (9pm CET) in Charlotte, California, against Mexican side Pachuca. A win would put the Whites on a solid path to the round of 16, but Xabi Alonso's side's main objective is to improve on their debut performance against Al Hilal (1-1) and gradually adapt to the new Basque coach's project.

Mbappé will remain out due to stomach issues, although he is expected back in action for the third match against Salzburg on the 27th. For now, he hasn't even traveled to Charlotte. The Frenchman and Dani Carvajal trained at the Miami hotel, following their respective recovery plans.

Without Kylian Mbappé, the team needs players like Vinícius, Rodrygo, and Bellingham, all three of whom were in a poor state against Al Hilal, to regain their form and get closer to what they can do.

The eleven against Pachuca Gonzalo, again the nine

The Real Madrid starting eleven isn't expected to be much different from Wednesday's, and the attacking force will once again be homegrown player Gonzalo García, who scored the goal and was named the match's MVP. Dean Huijsen was among the standouts in the debut match and spoke to the club's official media yesterday: "For me, it's a dream. I think it's a dream for every kid to play for Real Madrid. It's the best club in the world, and I'm very proud and happy to be here."

He then commented: “There's a very good group, and the truth is that the dressing room is very united. We're very happy to have Xabi Alonso. I think he has a lot of good ideas, and we're going to have some great years together. We're Real Madrid. We have to win, and I think we will.”

The Salzburg They would be eliminated if they lose to Madrid.

Pachuca arrives fresh off their opening-day defeat to Salzburg, meaning another setback would mean elimination. At first glance, the Mexicans appear to be the weakest in the group, a team Real Madrid already beat in the last Intercontinental Cup in the fall.

The Mexican team is now managed by Jaime Lozano and has its star in Venezuelan Salomón Rondón, a veteran football globetrotter, now 35 years old, who has played in Spain for Las Palmas and Málaga, among many other teams.