Real Madrid vs Al Ahly: Club World Cup Match Preview, Predicted Line-ups, and Fantasy XI

Real Madrid vs Al Ahly is next as Real Madrid begin their quest for their fifth Club World Cup title with a semi-final clash against Al Ahly.

Match Details:

• Location: Rabat, Morocco
• Stadium: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
• Date: Wednesday, 8 February
• Kick-off Time: 19:00 GMT / 14:00 EST / 11:00 PST
• Referee: Andrés Matonte

Real Madrid vs Al Ahly: Match Preview:

Real Madrid have to shift their focus to the Club World Cup semi-final where they will square up against Egyptian outfit Al Ahly. The two are set to battle it out at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Morocco on Wednesday. Los Blancos have traveled to Morocco in search of their fifth Club World Cup title. 

While Al Ahly will be hoping to catch out of form Madird-based club off guard and make it to the final. The winner of this clash will face either Flamengo or Al-Hilal in the final on Saturday. Whereas, the losers will battle it out to determine who finished third.

Al Ahly have made it to their third successive semi-final of the Club World Cup. They have defeated Auckland City and Seattle Sounders in the previous round to progress into the all-important semi-final against European giants Real Madrid.

Team News:

Real Madrid:

First-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was injured in the warm-up prior to the loss to Mallorca at the weekend and is highly unlikely to feature. Real Madrid also face doubts over Karim Benzema and Eder Militao, while Ferland Mendy and Lucas Vazquez are out.

Al Ahly:

Al Ahly didn't pick up any injuries or suspensions against the Sounders and have a fully fit squad to choose from.

Real Madrid vs Al Ahly: Head to Head:

This will be their first competitive meeting.

Real Madrid have faced a team from CAF just once, in the FIFA Club World Cup against Raja Casablanca in 2000, which they won.

Al Ahly have a decent record in the Club World Cup, securing third place three times, in 2006, 2020 and 2021. Real Madrid have won the competition four times, in 2014 and three times in a row between 2016 and 2018.

Interestingly, they have won the title every time they have made it to the final. Al Ahly have enjoyed an unbeaten start to their 2022-23 campaign and have won their last two games. They have also kept clean sheets in their last five games.

Key Stats:

• Al Ahly have played the most matches in the history of the Club World Cup. They taking part in the competition for the eighth time and have featured in 20 fixtures so far.
• The Egyptian outfit are on a 23-match unbeaten run heading into this fixture against Ancelotti's men.
• Real Madrid have won the Club World Cup a record four times and are looking to make it five this year.
• This is going to be the first meeting between Al Ahly and Real Madrid when they square up against each other on Wednesday.
• Al Ahyl have won each of their last five fixtures whereas Real Madrid have only won twice in their last five outings in all competitions.

Predicted Line-ups:

Real Madrid starting 11 (4-3-3): Lunin; Odriozola, Rudiger, Nacho, Camavinga; Maaloul; Modric; Asensio, Diaz, Rodrygo.

Al Ahly starting 11 (4-1-4-1): Shenawi; Hany, Matwalli, Abdelmonem, Maaloul; Dieng; Kahraba, Afsha, Sulaya, Mohamed; Tau.

RMA vs ALA:

Shenawi; Rudiger, Nacho, Maaloul; Modric, Asensio, Dieng; Diaz, Rodrygo, Tau.

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