Al Hilal has won six of the last nine domestic league titles, but they were unable to retain their title this season. This failure led to the departure of their previous manager, Jorge Jesus, who had a remarkable record of 81 wins in his first 96 matches in charge.
Simone Inzaghi, the new manager of Al Hilal, has taken over after his previous stint at Inter Milan. He has faced questions about his integrity, but he remains committed to his new role.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, will have a new face in their dugout - Xabi Alonso. He will be looking to extend his team's dominance in the Club World Cup and win a record sixth title.
The two teams have met only once before, in the 2022 final, where Real Madrid won 5-3. This match is expected to be a goal-fest, given Real Madrid's recent form, where they have scored at least two goals in their last six competitive matches.
Al Hilal, however, has a strong striking threat, with players like Aleksandar Mitrovic and Marcos Leonardo who have scored a significant number of goals in the Saudi Pro League.
Real Madrid's defense has been a concern, and they will be hoping that their new signings, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, will be able to address this issue. The acquisition of Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth is also expected to strengthen their defense.
The match is set to be an exciting one, with both teams looking to make a strong start in the tournament. A win for either side will give them a significant advantage and set the tone for the rest of the group stage.
Follow the match with audio commentary from Flashscore to stay up-to-date with all the action.
Real Madrid and Al Hilal will also be competing in Group H, alongside Pachuca and RB Salzburg. The group stage will provide a platform for both teams to showcase their skills and gain momentum for the rest of the tournament.
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