By Karl Matchett
Teething troubles
For a supervisor who has, till now, habitually performed with a again three, shifting to Actual Madrid who haven’t accomplished so with any regularity for at the least a few a long time represented a dilemma. Up to now, Alonso has opted for a 4-3-3 and continuity – whether or not that’s the case after a pre-season stays to be seen. However it hasn’t been plain crusing. New addition Trent Alexander-Arnold has proven defensive insecurities greater than as soon as already, Raúl Asencio was sent-off seven minutes into their final match and whereas protecting the again 4 the identical to start out each video games may also help beginning to breed familiarity, the central pairing are 20 and 22 years previous. Some errors are to be anticipated.
Defensive woes for each
On the different finish of the pitch on this sport it may be the same matter. Salzburg will not be, to make sure, the defensive clown present they have been within the transient reign of Pepijn Lijnders final season, when each Sturm Graz and Bayer Leverkusen – then coached by Alonso in fact – managed to attain 5 previous them. However regardless of a transparent uptick in outcomes, each video games on the Membership World Cup have nonetheless proven they’re somewhat extra open than they’d like: regardless of taking 4 factors to date, each Pachuca and Al Hilal out-shot Salzburg and tallied a greater xG, 1.4 for the Mexicans and 1.49 for the Saudis. Actual may not be all weapons blazing, however they nonetheless have elite attackers. Openness on the again shall be a problem.
Latest kind
Salzburg gained three of the final 4 within the Austrian Bundesliga marketing campaign, then have gained and drawn of their two on the Membership World Cup. Actual Madrid really suffered 5 defeats within the final 12 throughout all competitions earlier than the season correct ended, however nonetheless gained their final three in LaLiga and have equally drawn and gained within the US.
Crew information
Karim Konaté is a long-term absentee for Salzburg and Nicolás Capaldo has a damaged toe. Actual Madrid shall be with out the suspended Asencio, in addition to six injured gamers together with Endrick and Eduardo Camavinga. Doubts stay over Kylian Mbappé, who has been sick, however the Frenchman has returned to coaching this week.
Key participant
A win for both aspect ensures passage to the following spherical whereas the loser would wish to await the group’s different sport. Within the absence of defensive solidity, then, a giant attacking efficiency from Vinícius Júnior could be welcomed, as he’s been sub-par to date, scoring and helping exactly zero. He has had three photographs and created 4 probabilities – a complete xA of 0.99 mixed – so actually must step it up.
Prediction
Actual Madrid ought to have sufficient about them to attain a few instances, given the variety of probabilities Salzburg surrender, nevertheless it gained’t be one-way site visitors. Salzburg 1-3 Actual Madrid.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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