Real Madrid takes on Juventus in their club World Cup of 16 draw on Monday, and they have received a boost for that match at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The side of Xabi Alonso has had a solid tournament so far, with victories against Pachuca and RB Salzburg, as well as a draw against Al Hilal. And they will be favorites to beat Juventus and book their place in the quarterfinals, where they would be confronted with Borussia Dortmund or Sergio Ramos' Monterrey.
And the hope for progression of Real Madrid seems to have been a small one, with MD reporting that Juventus will be without Nicolo Savono for the rest of the World Cup club.
Savona sustained an ankle injury earlier this week during the 5-2 defeat of Juventus against Manchester City, and the Italians announced that “diagnostic tests revealed a high-quality capsule ligamentus injury.” He is expected to miss two months, which means that he would be absent before the start of the new Serie A season in August.
Savona started all three matches of Juventus in the group stage of the club World Cup, but he will not be available against Real Madrid. It is a big blow to head coach Igor Tudor, who will have to turn to Gleison Bremer or Daniele Rugani instead.
This news about Savona coincides with positive injury news for Real Madrid, making it increasingly likely that Kylian Mbappe returns for the round of 16 Showdown in Miami. The Frenchman all missed the group stage of Los Blancos due to illness, but he is again in training. Xabi Alonso hopes to have him available for Juventus, although he would not be risked as a starter due to a lack of match sharpness.