Pre-match Analysis: Real Madrid vs PSG (2024/2025 FIFA Club World Cup Semi Final)
Whereas overlords, Real Madrid, will aim to partake in a record 6th Club World Cup final, new commers, PSG, anticipates for a first ever appearance in the final of this tournament.
So, this piece is a preamble to this semifinal fixture.
HEAD -TO-HEAD
Both teams have never faced off in the FIFA Club World Cup before, however, they've had several encounters in the UEFA Champions League and International Champions Cup.
Across both tournaments, they've met nine times in total, with Real Madrid gaining a slim edge with 4 wins, while PSG had 3 wins, and two of these encounters ended in a draw.
Here are the scorelines of these fixtures:
UEFA Champions League
* 21/10/2015 0-0
* 3/11/2015 1-0 (Real Madrid won)
* 14/2/18 3-1 (Real Madrid won)
* 6/3/18 1-2 (Real Madrid won)
* 18/9/19 3-0 (PSG won)
* 26/11/19 2-2
* 15/2/22 1-0 (PSG won)
* 9/3/22 3-1(Real Madrid)
International Champions Cup
* 28/7/2018 1-3 (PSG won)
PERFORMANCES IN THE CLUB WORLD CUP SO FAR
The two clubs have enjoyed good campaigns so far in this tournament.
Beginning with Real Madrid, the Spanish giant remains unbeaten in this tournament so far, playing five games: Borussia Dortmund in the quarter final, Juventus in the round of sixteen, and Red Bull Salzburg, Pachuca and Al Hihal in the group stage respectively. From these fixtures, they won four and drew only one.
Further, Los Blancos has had fair amount of possession value, recording 51.6% of ball possession on average per game, thus reflecting a work in progress for new head coach, Xabi Alonso, whose playing style prioritizes domination of the ball. Defensively, Real has been impressive, conceding only four goals in this tournament so far. From the attacking point, the club has been somewhat effective, scoring a total of 10 goals. However, they could have done better, as the stat shows that they only managed 6.4 shots on target from an ample value of 15 shots per game.
Les Parisen, on the other hand, have also been impressive in the competition. From five matches- Bayern Munich in the quarter final, Inter Miami in round of sixteen, and Seattle, Botafogo and Atletico Madrid in the group stage phase respectively- the French club won four and lost only once.
PSG continues to put up splendid performance, as the club boasts an impressive 62.4% possession value per game. With an outstanding 12 goals so far in the competition, the club keeps proving to be one of the best attacking forces in club football. The club is the best defensive side in the tournament, conceding only once.
ABSENTEES
Both teams can confidently boast of being plague free of serious injury predicaments or suspensions. However, they will be without few first team players.
As it stands, PSG will be without Pacho and Lucas Hernandez, with both serving indirect suspensions. Moreover, Nordi Mukiele is still sidelined through calf injury.
Real Madrid will also be without Dean Huijsen and Ferland Mendy, with the former serving suspension after he was shown straight red card in the game against Dortmund, and the latter yet to recover from a thigh injury.
TACTICAL PERSPECTIVE
In this section, several tactical details of both teams visible in this tournament shall be brought to our notice.
So, we shall begin with Real Madrid.
High defensive line is one common trend in Los Blancos in this tournament. This is in fact one tactical attribute given prominence by Xabi Alonso, one coach who demands great level of aggressiveness from his team especially during defensive actions, pressing high up the pitch, thus he galvanizes his team into such high-risk football in order to make the pressing structure compact. Although this risk intensive approach does yields good outcomes in certain occasions, it still comes with some downsides. Most prominently, it requires great level of stamina and pace from the defenders, and in a situation when all or any of these attributes are void in them, it could spell doom for them especially when they come up against teams with really pacy forwarders and midfielders.
(Photo Credit: DAZN)
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| Visible here is Real Madrid's high defensive line. In this scenario of the game, Pachuca players were able to exploit the gap behind Real's high defensive line, hence leading to a clear goal scoring chance. The only way to avert conceding a goal was for Huijsen's commitment of foul on the striker, Solomon Rondon, which eventually resulted in his straight red card. |
Another prominent tactic employed by Real Madrid, is the clever forward runs made by deep lying players- the midfielders in most scenarios- into the final third. With this ploy, Real tend to become quite unpredictable in the attacking phase.
In the scenarios below, we shall observe how this tactic led to Real Madrid's first goal against Pachuca
(Photos Credit: DAZN)
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| Here, we can observe Jude Bellingham in his natural holding midfield role as Madrid build play. |
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| But as soon as play progresses forward, he dashes forward. |
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| Now, he receives the ball close to the final third without being spotted by any of Pachuca's players. |
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| He advances with it, shoots and scores. |
Again, this strategy was what led to Real's second goal
In this scenario, Arda Guiler makes a forward run from deeper area on the pitch to arrive at the final third unnoticed to then finish off a pass from Gonzalo Garcia.
(Photos Credit: DAZN)
Now, let's look at one of PSG's most lethal tactical weapons so far in this tournament.
PSG's players have become increasingly intentional in their attempts on goal. They aren't shy in trying out their lucks on gaols irrespective of the distance to the goal. With players like Dembele operating in the number nine position, Doue and Kvaratskhelia operating from both flaks, and midfielders like Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz playing through the middle of the park, PSG has several potential shooting zones. This makes them as a very dangerous side to come against.
Below we shall see how Fabian Ruiz scores from outside box 18 to put PSG ahead against Atletico Madrid.
(Photos Credit: DAZN)
Another instance is Doue's goal against Bayen Munich.
(Photos Credit: DAZN)
Who do you think will be the winner of this game? For me - Real Madrid (note, this choice is done out of pure sentiments!).
Let us know your choice in the comment section.
Los Blancos all the way !
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