This Wednesday, July 9, Paris Saint-Germain take on Real Madrid at MetLife Stadium in New York (kick-off 9pm CET, broadcast on DAZN) in the semi-finals of the 2025 Club World Cup. And, as before every match, here’s a presentation of the Parisians’ opponents.
The Real Madrid situation –
A huge, historic club, Real Madrid is at a turning point in its history, with the renewal of its squad and the definition of a new project. Last summer, the retirement of Toni Kroos and the arrival of Kylian Mbappé upset the balance. On top of this, serious injuries made for a difficult season. The results are disappointing for the club (no major title) and a new lease of life is expected.
Coach Xabi Alonso has replaced Carlo Ancelotti, and the mercato has already seen some activity. And it’s probably not over yet. The Club World Cup has been rather encouraging, with a place in the semi-finals, although there is still a lot of work to be done in this squad in order to achieve a fine 2025-2026 season.
The 2025/2026 summer mercato –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals :
Key statistics –
This season, Real Madrid have the 2nd best attack in La Liga with 78 goals scored (first-placed FC Barcelona are on 102, and last-placed Valladolid are on 26), and have the 3rd best defense with 38 goals conceded (Bilbao have the best defense with 29 goals conceded, and last-placed Valladolid are on 90).
Madrid’s top scorer is Kylian Mbappé (26-year-old striker) and with 31 goals, he is 1st in the league (2nd in Liga1 is Robert Lewandowski with 27 goals). Jude Bellingham (22-year-old attacking midfielder) is Madrid’s top passer with 8 assists, ranking him 4th in La Liga (Lamine Yamal is first with 13 assists).
Real Madrid’s last 5 matches –
Only Madrid possession is shown and Real Madrid shots are put first (when data is available).
18/06/2025 (Club World Cup) – Real Madrid/Al-Hilal: 1-1. In 4-3-1-2. 52% possession. 19 shots, including 7 on target, against 13 shots (2 on target).
22/06/2025 (Club World Cup) – Real Madrid (down to 10 at the 7th minute, 0-0)/Pachuca: 3-1. In 4-3-1-2. 58% possession. 8 shots, including 3 on target, against 25 shots (11 on target).
01/07/2025 (Club World Cup) – RB Salzburg/Real Madrid: 0-3. In 4-3-1-2. 56% possession. 12 shots (4 on target) against 12 shots (3 on target).
05/07/2025 (Club World Cup) – Real Madrid/Juventus: 1-0. 3-5-2 formation. 58% possession. 21 shots, including 11 on target, against 6 shots (2 on target).
03/05/2025 (Club World Cup) – Real Madrid (down to 10 at 90+6 minutes, 3-1)/Borussia Dortmund: 3-2. In 4-3-1-2. 48% possession. 15 shots, including 8 on target, against 12 shots (5 on target).
L’équipe selon la presse en 4-3-1-2 (L’Equipe) :
Vinicius – Garcia
Bellingham
Güler – Tchouaméni – Valverde
F. Garcia – Asencio – Rüdiger – Alexander-Arnold
Courtois
Real Madrid’s style of play.
Real Madrid is still rebuilding, and coach Xabi Alonso is gradually establishing his style of play. The 4-3-1-2 system quickly transforms into a 3-5-2 in possession. Tchouaméni stays with the defense, while the full-backs are free to move up. Which suits their qualities just fine.
We can keep the ball, but that’s not a major objective either. We have to be wary of a vertical game with great attacking talent. Incidentally, there is some uncertainty as to whether Kylian Mbappé will start. Mbappé was seriously ill at the start of the competition and has only recently returned, while Gonzalo Garcia has put in one good performance after another. The French international will also have to get used to the defensive habits of a pressing-minded Alonso.
