2025 FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16: Real Madrid vs Juventus Preview, Team News and Prediction

Preview and predict the Real Madrid vs Juventus clash in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16.

Real Madrid vs Juventus: Preview

It’s a clash worthy of a UEFA Champions League final — and it was, back in 2017. Now, Real Madrid and Juventus are set to meet for just the second time since that memorable night in Cardiff, this time in the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Madrid ran out 4-1 winners in that 2017 final and edged past Juventus again in the following season’s quarter-finals with a 4-3 aggregate victory. This upcoming encounter will mark the 22nd competitive meeting between the two European heavyweights — but their first ever outside of the European Cup/Champions League.

Real Madrid hold a slight historical advantage with 10 wins to Juventus’ nine, along with two draws. In knockout ties, Madrid have come out on top in five of their nine previous battles.

Juventus impressed in the Club World Cup group stage, boasting the highest shot conversion rate (37%) — netting 11 goals from just 30 attempts. Their efficiency in front of goal was further underlined by the tournament’s biggest positive xG differential (+5.5), scoring 11 goals from just 5.5 expected goals.

However, their momentum took a hit in a 5-2 drubbing at the hands of Manchester City in their final group game — only the second time in 30 years that the Bianconeri have conceded five in a match, the last being a 5-1 loss to Napoli in January 2023.

Igor Tudor’s side allowed 11 shots on target against City, the most they’ve faced in nearly five years (since 11 vs Sassuolo in July 2020). With the firepower of Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid looming, Juventus will need a much more resolute defensive showing if they’re to progress.

Real Madrid head into the knockout stage unbeaten, having picked up two wins and a draw in their three group-stage matches. Despite being outshot 50 to 39 and registering fewer efforts on target (14 to 16), Los Blancos outscored their opponents 7-2 across games against Al-Hilal, Pachuca, and Salzburg — showcasing ruthless efficiency.

While both sides are stacked with top-tier talent, it’s the rising stars who have stolen the spotlight so far. Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz (3 goals, 1 assist) and Real Madrid’s Gonzalo García (2 goals, 1 assist) are the only players to have been directly involved in a goal in each of their three group-stage matches — a testament to their growing influence on the big stage.

Real Madrid’s youth surge continues with new signing Dean Huijsen impressing at the back. The former Juventus and Bournemouth defender completed 46 line-breaking passes — more than any of his Madrid teammates and the third-highest by any defender in the tournament.

There’s also good news on the team news front: Kylian Mbappé could return for Madrid after missing the group stage with gastroenteritis, while midfielder Raul Asencio is available again after serving a one-match suspension. Juventus, on the other hand, will be without centre-back Nicolò Savona, who suffered an ankle injury in the loss to Manchester City.

The stakes are high — the winner of this clash will face either Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey in the quarter-finals, and potentially Manchester City or Inter Milan in the semis. As the Club World Cup progresses, the action is getting as intense as the rising temperatures in the stadiums.

Real Madrid vs Juventus: Head-to-Head

• Real Madrid Won – 5
• Juventus Won – 3
• Draws – 2

Real Madrid vs Juventus: Recent Form

• Real Madrid – DWW
• Juventus – WWL

Real Madrid vs Juventus: Team News and Predicted Lineup

Real Madrid – Team News

Group H toppers Real Madrid C.F. have seen contributions come from all areas of the pitch in this Club World Cup campaign. Young forward Gonzalo García has stood out with two goals and an assist, while Federico Valverde has found the net twice. Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior have both chipped in with a goal and an assist each, further underlining the squad’s attacking depth.

There’s even more reason for optimism for head coach Xabi Alonso, as centre-back Éder Militão is nearing a return after being sidelined since November with a long-term injury. Additionally, star forward Kylian Mbappé is back in training following a spell out with gastroenteritis that kept him unavailable throughout the group stage.

Pre-tournament buzz surrounded Real Madrid’s major move to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, securing the England international early to bolster their ranks. He delivered a composed performance on the right flank in their final group-stage victory over Red Bull Salzburg — a game that confirmed their top spot. The full-back is expected to once again link up with fellow countryman Jude Bellingham in the next round.

The big question now is whether Mbappé, recently discharged from the hospital and back on the training ground, will be ready to return to the starting XI and lead the front line alongside Vinícius Júnior — a potential partnership that could tilt the balance in Madrid’s favour as the tournament heads into the knockouts.

Real Madrid – Predicted Lineup (3-5-2)

• Goalkeeper – Courtois
• Defenders – Rudiger, Tchouameni, Huijsen
• Midfielders – Alexander-Arnold, Bellingham, Valverde, Guler, F. Garcia
• Forwards – G. Garcia, Vinicius

Juventus – Team News

Don’t be misled by the two goals Juventus managed to score against Manchester City — that match laid bare their vulnerabilities, as they conceded five and were largely second-best in terms of possession and control.

Things won’t get any easier with Real Madrid up next, and while a tactical overhaul seems unlikely, minimal changes are expected. Lloyd Kelly is set to retain his place in the backline, continuing his run in the starting XI.

Dusan Vlahovic, who has been the subject of transfer speculation throughout the tournament, could be making his final appearance in a Juventus shirt if the Italians are eliminated.

Kenan Yildiz has been the standout performer for the Old Lady in this Club World Cup campaign, finishing the group stage with three goals and one assist. Supporting him, Randal Kolo Muani and Vlahovic have chipped in with two goals each, while both Alberto Costa and Khephren Thuram have provided two assists apiece.

Juventus will still be without Arkadiusz Milik and Bremer, as both continue to recover from injuries, further limiting Igor Tudor’s options as he prepares for a daunting Round of 16 test.

Juventus – Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1)

• Goalkeeper – Di Gregorio
• Defenders – Kelly, Kalulu, Savona
• Midfielders – Costa, Locatelli, McKennie, Kostic
• Forwards – Conceicao, Yildiz, Kolo Muani

Real Madrid vs Juventus: Prediction

Despite an underwhelming season by their standards, Real Madrid arrive at the FIFA Club World Cup boasting arguably the most star-studded squad in the competition — packed with individual brilliance and big-match experience.

Juventus, while showing signs of progress, are still a shadow of their former dominant selves, as reflected in their domestic inconsistencies. Their recent humbling at the hands of Manchester City will likely still be lingering as they prepare for another major test.

Score Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 Juventus

When and Where to Watch Real Madrid vs Juventus LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details

Catch Real Madrid vs Juventus and every 2025 Club World Cup Round of 16 match live for free on DAZN from 12:30 AM IST on Wednesday, July 2 at the Hard Rock Stadium, located in Miami Gardens, Florida.

If you’re already a DAZN user — whether on a paid plan or a free account — the tournament is included in your subscription.

New to DAZN? Simply sign up with your email to create a free account and start streaming.

Download the DAZN app on your smart TV, smartphone, tablet, gaming console, or streaming device to watch anytime, anywhere.

Real Madrid vs Juventus: Squads

Real Madrid

Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin, Fran González, Sergio Mestre, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, David Alaba, Lucas Vázquez, Fran García, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy, Dean Huijsen, Youssef Enríquez, Jacobo Ramón, Diego Aguado, Raúl Asencio, Jesús Fortea, Jude Bellingham, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Luka Modric, Arda Güler, Dani Ceballos, Chema Andres, Víctor Muñoz, Mario Martin, Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, Rodrygo, Endrick, Gonzalo García, Brahim Díaz.

Head Coach: Xabi Alonso

Juventus

Alberto Costa, Bremer, Federico Gatti, Manuel Locatelli, Lloyd Kelly, Francisco Conceição, Teun Koopmeiners, Dusan Vlahovic, Kenan Yildiz, Nicolás González, Arkadiusz Milik, Pierre Kalulu, Weston McKennie, Vasilije Adžić, Filip Kostić, Khéphren Thuram, Randal Kolo Muani, Timothy Weah, Carlo Pinsoglio, Daniele Rugani, Douglas Luiz, Andrea Cambiaso, Michele Di Gregorio, Lorenzo Anghelè, Nicolò Savona, Giovanni Daffara, Jonas Rouhi, Javier Gil, Augusto Owusu, Alessandro Pietrelli, Samuel Mbangula, Nicolò Cudrig, Tommaso Mancini, Stefano Turco, Giovanni Garofani.

Head Coach: Igor Tudor

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