Real Madrid have advanced to the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup after defeating Juventus in the Round of 16 on July 1 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Real Madrid ace Kylian Mbappe was unable to feature in all three of their group stage clashes after being diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis ahead of their opening match of the competition.
The Frenchman was finally able to make his Club World Cup debut after coming off the bench in the second half of the Round of 16 match. Now, ahead of their upcoming clash in the competition, Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has provided an update on Mbappe’s recovery.
“Every day, he is getting better. From now until the quarterfinal, he is going to be even better. I talk to him every day, ask him how he is feeling and I think he is going to be way better for the quarterfinals,” as per OneFootball.
Real Madrid are pitted against Borussia Dortmund in the next knockout match of the Club World Cup, and Alonso has also shared his thoughts on playing against the Bundesliga side.
What did Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso say about facing Borussia Dortmund in the Club World Cup?
Alonso was appointed Real Madrid’s manager in May following the dismissal of Carlo Ancelotti. Speaking ahead of the clash against Dortmund, the Spaniard stated that his squad ‘will try to be ready’ to face the German side.
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“I know Dortmund quite well and with Niko [Kovac], they finished the season much better. The opponents in the quarterfinals will be good and we’ll try to be ready for them.”
“We have to do a lot with a little. We’ve only been together a short time and we’re competing for big things. We had to adjust things and the guys have grasped this well. Defensive solidity and discipline are fundamental and something we’ve tried to transmit from the start. The lads are eager and willing and that’s essential. They’re keen to absorb what the people who have come from Germany are asking of them.”
Real Madrid will lock horns with Dortmund in the quarterfinal of the Club World Cup on July 5 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
