Xabi Alonso must navigate tough lineup changes for PSG clash

On July 8, 2025, the FIFA Club World Cup semifinal featured a highly anticipated matchup between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. As Real Madrid prepared to face the current Champions League holders, significant challenges arose for head coach Xabi Alonso. One of the team's newly signed central defenders, Dean Huijsen, faced a suspension due to a red card received during the quarterfinal against Borussia Dortmund. This unforeseen absence forced Alonso to reconsider his defensive strategy, likely to include Raúl Asencio as a replacement alongside Aurélien Tchouameni and Antonio Rüdiger in a back three formation. In addition to the defensive woes, Alonso needed to make critical choices concerning the attack. Despite the impressive form of Gonzalo García, who had emerged as the tournament's joint-highest scorer, the manager had to consider the impact of the superstar Kylian Mbappé. After recently returning to fitness, Mbappé proved his worth by scoring a vital goal in the quarterfinal clash against Dortmund as a substitute. The unique challenge for Alonso was determining whether to start the young forward, García, or to opt for the more seasoned Mbappé to exploit PSG's defensive frailities. Both players were vying for the central 9 position in Alonso's potential formation shifts from a 3-5-2 to a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. Alonso's decisions were further complicated by the yellow card count being reset, meaning that only a red card could mandate player absences for a potential final. Injuries also posed a problem, with players such as Eduardo Camavinga nearing a return to fitness but not quite ready for action. Long-term absences Daniela Carvajal and Éder Militão sat on the bench, while Ferland Mendy, David Alaba, and Endrick Felipe remained unavailable for selection. The head coach's existing strategy, which allowed Aurélien Tchouameni to fluidly shift between defense and midfield positions, needed to be employed carefully against a formidable PSG side under the guidance of Luis Enrique. With the clock ticking toward the kickoff, Alonso faced mounting pressure to strategize effectively against a strong opponent like PSG. The significance of solidifying an effective lineup was underscored by the late-stage position of the tournament. The stakes were high, not just for the players on the pitch, but also for Alonso, given his unbeaten record as Real Madrid’s head coach. As the team readied itself for battle on the big stage, the realities of selection dilemmas, in-game management, and overall team dynamics would be crucial to their hopes of advancing toward the final and securing the club's prestigious title.