The exhausting schedule is also an opportunity for Madrid. In Doha, the whites are looking for the second title of the seven they aspire to this season, the Intercontinental Cup against the Mexican Pachuca (6:00 p.m., Telecinco) after lifting the European Super Cup in the summer. A must-win that also presents itself as a window of opportunity for Carlo Ancelotti, who, if he wins, would become the club’s coach with the most titles (15), ahead of Miguel Muñoz. After four months of poor play, with a lack of nerve until a few weeks ago and badly damaged by injuries, the trip to Qatar offers the merengue locker room a clear opportunity to add to their resume. Losing would unleash the great crisis. “Being here is a gift for both of us,” said Carletto this Tuesday, who warned that “all games are a trap” and that “if Pachuca is here, it must be for a reason.”
For now, he and Vinicius took their first personal victories by being chosen as best coach and player in The Best awards in a peculiar gala organized by FIFA also in Doha that, in principle, was announced as telematics, although, this time , both did come to collect the award after training.
The doubt in the last practice session was the physical condition of Kylian Mbappé, who retired a week ago in Bergamo due to muscle discomfort in his left leg. “His feelings on Monday were good. We are optimistic, but if there is even a minimal risk, he will not play,” said the coach. The French quote has its merits. He returns to the country that has marked his career, with which he had to negotiate during his seven years at PSG; and the imposing stadium of the 2022 World Cup final (Lusail), the scene of one of its greatest exhibitions. A great goal and three penalties scored against Argentina by Dibu Martínez, the goalkeeper who drove everyone crazy from 11 meters. Also to Tchouameni, who received a maximum penalty. But not to him that afternoon. Another universe for the now suffering Mbappé, who seeks to finally turn on the switch in Madrid. Ancelotti could also turn to Camavinga at the start, who already had minutes on Saturday in Vallecas.
A trophy with an old name
The size of the rival makes the clash a mandatory victory for Madrid. The Concacaf champion (North America, Central America and the Caribbean) defeated the winner of the Libertadores, Botafogo, with a 0-3 score, and last Saturday they were resurrected in the penalty shootout against Al Ahly. They lost 3-1 and only two rounds of shots remained. The Egyptians had four options to advance to the final, but they missed both of their shots, the Mexicans got theirs right and in sudden death they ended up ruining them.
Up top they threaten with the veteran Salomón Rondón (35 years old) and the left-handed winger Oussama Idrissi. Center back Gustavo Cabral (former Celta) and forward Borja Bastón (Oviedo and Zaragoza, among many others) also appear in the squad. The Tuzos face the night of their lives at a time of hardship in their League, in which they are 16th out of 18 after 17 games.
When they finish the final, no matter what happens, they won’t all go home together. Unlike Madrid, the expedition does not have a charter flight and will return to Mexico divided into four groups between Thursday and Friday, with priority for the players. Some will stop in Houston and others in Dallas. From there, to Mexico City. And then, another two hours by bus.
Two realities for an event that recovers the name of the Intercontinental Cup (it was stopped as such in 2004), although the format refers more to the Club World Cup played until now than to the old tournament that pitted the Libertadores champion against each other in a single match. of the European Champions. But since the calendar does not stop inflating and the first edition of the Club World Cup with 32 teams is scheduled for next summer, the managers have rescued the old name so that the circus wheel does not stop. In any case, another opportunity for an international title for Madrid. The opposite would be a global slide.
