Club World Cup Semi-Final Preview: PSG vs Real Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain will be forced into defensive changes for their Club World Cup semi-final after both Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez were sent off late in their victory over Bayern. Lucas Beraldo is expected to slot into the heart of the defence to fill the gap.
Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembele remains a doubt for the starting XI. Though he’s featured twice from the bench during the knockout rounds after recovering from a brief injury, his fitness for a starting role is still in question.
One player certain to draw attention is Achraf Hakimi. The former Real Madrid full-back has been electric, contributing either a goal or an assist in each of his last three Club World Cup appearances, including setting up a goal against Bayern after scoring in the two prior matches.
Real Madrid also face a defensive reshuffle. New signing Dean Huijsen will miss the semi-final following his late red card in the quarter-final clash with Dortmund. As a result, Raul Asencio is set for his first start since being dismissed himself just ten minutes into the group-stage match against Pachuca. The positive news for Los Blancos is that Eder Militao has returned from his ACL injury and could bolster the backline.
Carlo Ancelotti’s bench remains stacked with attacking firepower. Stars like Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo, and Brahim Diaz were among the substitutes against Dortmund, highlighting Madrid’s depth. However, the spotlight is firmly on Gonzalo Garcia, the breakout talent who has already netted four goals in this year’s tournament.
With both giants missing key defenders but boasting explosive attacking options, the stage is set for a thrilling semi-final showdown.
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