Introduction
The Intercontinental Cup final between Real Madrid and Pachuca is set to be a thrilling encounter. Both teams have been in excellent form, and the match promises to be a classic. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has sprung a surprise in his starting lineup, and fans are eager to see how it will play out.
Real Madrid Starting Lineup
Real Madrid’s starting lineup for the Intercontinental Cup final is as follows:
Goalkeeper:
Defenders:
Dani Carvajal
Midfielders:
Luka Modric
Forwards:
Vinicius Junior
Pachuca Starting Lineup
Pachuca’s starting lineup for the Intercontinental Cup final is as follows:
Goalkeeper:
Defenders:
Kevin Álvarez
Midfielders:
Luis Chávez
Forwards:
Avilés Hurtado
Ancelotti’s Surprise
The biggest surprise in Real Madrid’s starting lineup is the inclusion of Federico Valverde in midfield. Valverde is a versatile player who can play in midfield or attack. However, he has been used primarily as a right-back this season. Ancelotti’s decision to start Valverde in midfield is a bold one, but it could pay off handsomely.
Valverde is a dynamic and energetic player who can press the opposition high up the pitch. He is also a good passer of the ball and can create chances for his teammates. With Valverde in midfield, Real Madrid will have a more balanced and attacking team.
Key Players to Watch
There are several key players to watch in this match. For Real Madrid, Karim Benzema is the obvious choice. The French striker is in excellent form and is always a threat to score. Vinicius Junior is another player to watch. The young Brazilian winger is a skillful and dangerous player who can cause problems for any defense.
For Pachuca, Nicolás Ibáñez is the key player. The Argentine striker is the club’s top scorer and will be looking to lead his team to victory. Avilés Hurtado is another player to watch. The Colombian winger is a skillful and creative player who can create chances for his teammates.
Tactical Analysis
Real Madrid are likely to dominate possession in this match. They will look to pass the ball around and create chances through patient build-up play. Pachuca, on the other hand, will look to counterattack. They have some dangerous attacking players who can hurt Real Madrid on the break.
Prediction
This is a difficult match to predict. Real Madrid are the favorites, but Pachuca are a dangerous team. However, Real Madrid’s superior quality should see them through. I predict a 2-1 win for Real Madrid.
Conclusion
The Intercontinental Cup final between Real Madrid and Pachuca is set to be a thrilling encounter. Real Madrid’s surprise inclusion of Federico Valverde in midfield adds an extra layer of intrigue to the match. Both teams have talented players, and the match is sure to be a close contest. However, Real Madrid’s superior quality should see them through to victory.