Tonight, Real Madrid will play its third match of the Club World Cup group stage. The opponent will be Salzburg, which needs to earn points. Los Blancos, with no margin for error, will seek a victory that will give them a spot in the quarterfinals.
A slip would complicate its future in the tournament. If they win, they will face City or Juventus. The pressure is at its highest, but the objective is clear.
The two previous matches didn't convince the coaching staff. Against Pachuca and Al Hilal, the feelings were cold despite the victories. That's why Xabi Alonso wants to close the stage with a more solid image.
Real Madrid arrives without its big star but with a surprise in the starting eleven
Kylian Mbappé won't be available for the third consecutive match. The Frenchman is still recovering from the gastroenteritis that took him to the hospital a few days ago. His absence will be significant, but there's another development that has drawn attention.
Dani Ceballos will start tonight against Salzburg. The Andalusian barely played in the previous two matches. Despite that, today he will start thanks to a tactical decision by the coach.
Ceballos gains prominence due to a risky decision by Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso has been forced to restructure his defensive line. Asencio's suspension has left a gap that must be urgently filled. The solution, however, recalls an old mistake from the past.
The Basque coach will place Tchouaméni as a center back in the starting eleven. That decision frees up a spot in midfield that Ceballos will occupy. However, the Frenchman already showed that he doesn't perform the same when he moves away from the pivot.
Tchouaméni already suffered in defense under Carlo Ancelotti's orders
Carlo Ancelotti tried Tchouaméni as a center back last season. The result wasn't the desired one and the experiment was quickly discarded. Today, Xabi Alonso is once again betting on that move in a delicate match.
The midfield loses solidity without Tchouaméni in his natural position. Creation and distribution will fall entirely on Dani Ceballos. It's a challenge that could be a golden opportunity for the Andalusian footballer.
Xabi Alonso takes risks at a key moment for Real Madrid
The coach trusts that the new system will give him balance. However, he faces a Salzburg that won't make things easy for him. It remains to be seen whether his approach ends up working or leaves doubts.
Dani Ceballos has a lot at stake tonight in the Club World Cup. He can show that he deserves more minutes and continuity. Meanwhile, the debate about Tchouaméni's position is back on the table.