The 'Merengue' picture comes with the need to add the three points to stay in the fight for the first position of group H.
Photo: EFE – ANDRE COELHO
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The revenge of Moctezuma? With a Kylian Mbappé with low due to stomach problems, Real Madrid needs to beat the Mexican Pachuca this Sunday in his second duel for the group H of the Club World Cup, after an unexpected complication in the debut.
In Mexico they often call the gastroenteritis suffered by travelers – sometimes proposed by food changes – such as Moctezuma's revenge, an Aztec emperor. Shortly after arriving in the United States for the 32 club tournament, the French star began a feverish team.
He was out of the debut of the meringues-and of his new coach Xabi Alonso-on Wednesday against the Hilal, with which they tied 1-1 in Miami. Shortly after a brief hospitalization was confirmed by a gastroenteritis, in which they performed tests and received treatment.
And although hours later he was discharged and is improving “little by little”, this Saturday a club source informed the AFP that the 26 -year -old attacker will remain in Florida and will not travel to Charlotte for the crucial duel with the Mexicans.
It is a dilemma for Xabi Alonso, who assumed the position in the prelude to the tournament, in his task of reorganizing the team, a purpose that, as he has recognized, “takes time.”
Now, when they jump to Gramado this Sunday at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, the DT would keep in the attack on the author of the merengue in the duel against the Saudis, Gonzalo García.
With the Brazilian Endrick also absent from injury, the 21 -year -old canterano is the salvation of whites: a 9 root, but also goes down to participate in the construction of his own goal, as happened at the start.
With a single point in the table, Madrid needs to beat the Tuzos to add four and arrive in a good position before closing the group stage on Thursday with Salzburg, which already warned of their desire to remain in the tournament by defeating Mexicans 2-1.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen had debut with the meringues and, although they might not offer the solidity Alonso expected, they probably remained in the field.
Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Éder Militão and Eduardo Camavinga are still doubtful. Perhaps the German Antonio Rüdiger can be available, in addition to Vinícius JR, a key in the offensive against Mbappé's decline.
T -shirt weight
Despite the help that Moctezuma has given them, Pachuca has things uphill. He fell into his start against Salzburg and, without points, now he needs to beat yes or yes to a giant who seeks to follow his way after separating from Carlo Ancelotti.
In addition, his closing struggle in the area will be Thursday in Nashville against Al Hilal, who at the premiere of the Italian helmsman Simone Inzaghi gave good fight to Madrid.
Like the whites, the Tuzos recently renewed technician, and have the former Mexican selector Jaime Lozano in the command. Much of the trust is deposited, however, in the Venezuelan attacker Solomon Rondón.
“The Real Madrid shirt alone expresses the greatness of the club, independent of whoever plays (…) is a match that has to compete perfectly because we come from a rather hard defeat,” said the historic scorer of Vinotinto to the newspaper Marca.
Inspiration have not lost it, admits Rondón. They saw the historic 1-0 win of the Botafogo al PSG on the last Thursday, and remember that the Pachuca played the final of the last intercontinental cup after passing over the Fogão (3-0).
But in the game for the title, precisely against Madrid of Ancelotti, they fell 3-0.
“They need points just like us and will be an attractive game, knowing that Madrid moves masses,” he added.
At 35, Rondón is fixed in the attack, while former Chelsea Mediocampist Kenedy could also be from the game.
Time and where to see Real Madrid vs. Pachuca at the 2025 Club World Cup
- Date: June 22, 2025
- Time: 2:00 p.m.
- Transmission: Dazn and DirecTV
- Estadio: Bank of America, Charlotte.
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