On this coming Wednesday, Real Madrid face Pachuca in Qatar to decide the winner of the 2024 Intercontinental Cup, the new club competition set up by FIFA to replace the old Club World Cup. In the clash between the European behemoth and the Mexican sensаtion, it is a world title on offer.
Follow Playing for 90 on X (Twitter).
Real Madrid and the burden of favoritism
Real Madrid steps onto the field carrying the responsibility of being the most successful team in FIFA competitions. This will be the club's 11th final in tournaments organized by the organization. In its history, the merengues played five finals in the former Intercontinental Cup, winning three titles, and another five Club World Cup finals.
Despite their tradition, Real Madrid arrives in Qatar with some concerns. Éder Militão, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, and Ferland Mendy will miss the match for Carlo Ancelotti's side because of an injury. Kylian Mbappé, the team's most expensive signing and a certain starter, also joined the doubt list after developing a muscle problem during his team's clash with Atalanta. Though the French forward was in the list, he didn't appear last weekend, and is still in doubt in reference to his condition.
Ancelotti was not beating around the bush when talking about the opponent and the importance of the final: "All matches are traps. Pachuca is a team that made it here because they have something. They are a rival that deserves our respect, for what they are and their quality. They have players we know, like Rondón, and good young players. They're dynamic, they push. It will be a fun match."
Even without them, Real Madrid relies on the experience of its main players, such as Luka Modrić, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham, to maintain its world dominance intact.
Pachuca's path
While Real Madrid holds natural favoritism, Pachuca comes with the confident attitude of having overcome so much adversity to get into the final. The Mexicans sealed their qualification by beating Columbus Crew 3-0 in the Concacaf Champions League final but then went on to beat Botafogo 3-0 in FIFA's Dérbi das Américas before overcoming Al Ahly through penalties.
In its place, the absence of the suspended Sergio Barreto will be felt. The substitute Gustavo Cabral showed security in previous stages. Salomón Rondón is a physically talented player who usually settles matches.
Pachuca's campaign, with convincing results and regularity, demonstrates that the Mexican team did not reach the final by accident. They are aware of the fact that favoritism is on the side of their opponent, but they more than understand that finals are a matter of details.
A game of contrasts and opportunities
Real Madrid has favoritism and history on its side, but Pachuca has already shown that underdogs should never be underestimated.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team knows they cannot underestimate their opponent, as the coach made clear: “They have their characteristics, and of course, for them, it will be a very important match.” This approach reflects the caution needed for a decisive game, especially against an opponent with nothing to lose and everything to gain.