On Tuesday night (July 1), the lights will shine a little brighter as Real Madrid and Juventus meet once again, this time in the round of 16 at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Los Blancos arrive with momentum on their side after finishing top of Group H with 7 points from 3 games, winning 3-0 against Salzburg to finish strong.
Juventus, on the other hand, had a far rockier path, as they finished second in Group G, limping into the knockout stage after being handed a painful 5-2 defeat by Manchester City
It’s their first meeting since 2018 when Real won 4-3 on aggregate in the Champions League quarter final.
PSG star gives a major update
Dani Carvajal, who suffered a serious knee injury on October 5, 2024, during a La Liga match against Villarreal is now fit and ready to return after nine months.
The 33-year-old right-back had torn his ACL, damaged his external collateral ligament and ruptured his popliteal tendon – an injury that required surgery and kept him out for more than 250 days.
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Speaking to the press before the Juventus game, Carvajal gave several updates on his physical and mental recovery:
“We’re seeing a lot of changes with Xabi, like Tchouameni playing between the centre-backs,” he said, referring to manager Xabi Alonso’s tactical tweaks.
“I have no problem playing wherever Xabi wants me to play, even if it’s in goal.”
Carvajal revealed that he has resumed full training and is physically prepared to contribute:
“After nine months, I’m now ready to play again. I’m available. I feel very well, already in the rhythm of training with the group. Let’s see if I can be in the squad list tomorrow.”
He also reflected on the emotional toll of the injury – “Until it happens to you, you don’t realise how much it impacts you. It hit me at a more mature stage of my career. Thanks to my family and kids, I found relief. I faced it from day one, step by step.”
The veteran defender, who played 8 La Liga games and scored once before the injury, added –
“I know myself and if they let me out on the field, I will go at 100% and I will not be afraid to put my leg in.”
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