Juventus face their biggest test yet against Real Madrid | OneFootball

Juventus will step into the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami tonight knowing that this Club World Cup last-16 tie against Real Madrid is about more than just advancing—it’s about restoring pride and measuring true progress under Igor Tudor. According to Tuttosport, the encounter is the 22nd official meeting between these clubs, but the stakes now feel sharper: Juventus are the last Serie A side left standing after Inter’s exit, flying the flag for Italian football on unfamiliar soil.

Tudor, speaking to the press on the eve of the match, demanded a bold response from his squad after the heavy group-stage defeat to Manchester City. “We had too much respect for City, this time let’s play our game—we can beat them,” he insisted. The Croatian highlighted how essential courage and a fighting spirit would be against a Real Madrid team he repeatedly called “a true side” with unmatched quality and cohesion, especially in tournaments like these. “Everyone wants to beat Real Madrid. We want to try as well. These are the best matches to play, and we’ve prepared. We must believe, run hard, make sacrifices, and minimise mistakes. I believe in us.”

Team selection remains complicated. The defensive line is missing Savona due to injury, with Gatti recovering from illness but likely to reclaim a starting place alongside Kalulu and Kelly. Should Gatti not be fit, Rugani is in line to step up, as reported by Leggo Milano. Midfield balance will rely on Locatelli and Thuram at the heart, McKennie and Cambiaso providing width. Ahead of them, both Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceiçao look set to support Kolo Muani. This marks a return for several first-choice names who were absent against City, with the aim of offering more incision in attack.

Juventus’ task, however, grows more complicated with the return of Kylian Mbappé for Real Madrid. The French forward, declared fit, is expected to play at least some part and add a new level of threat to the Spanish side’s already potent attack. The referee for this high-stakes tie will be Poland’s Szymon Marciniak, whose recent assignments at major finals underline the significance and scrutiny surrounding this contest.

The emotion in the Juventus camp is clear. For Tudor, this match is “the one of the tournament,” the kind of night he believes can transform a group and reshape external perceptions after a turbulent campaign. “The defeat is part of the game, you move on. The important thing is to seize new opportunities.”

As Juventus prepare to face a side that has dominated the European landscape over the last decade, the challenge is as daunting as it is inspiring. However, the mood inside the camp is summed up by Tudor’s final words: “We have to believe—then we’ll see what happens on the pitch.”

(Sources: Tuttosport, Leggo Milano, La Stampa, Spazio J, Bianconera News)

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