It’s David vs Goliath in Miami — and the war of words has already begun! Ahead of the blockbuster Group H opener at the FIFA Club World Cup, new Al-Hilal boss Simone Inzaghi stunned reporters by calling Real Madrid “possibly the best team in the world” — but don’t be fooled: he’s not here to bow, he’s here to BATTLE. 
“We know who we’re facing,” Inzaghi admitted. “But we believe in our strengths. We’re not just here to participate — we’re here to make a STATEMENT.”
With Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and Joao Cancelo in his arsenal, Inzaghi is ready to shake up the tournament — even without key striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who’s out with injury.
But the real twist? Inzaghi didn’t stop at praising Madrid — he singled out Xabi Alonso, Real’s new boss, for special attention:
“I followed his Leverkusen work closely… Xabi’s a coach with vision, intensity, and clarity.”
Madrid, meanwhile, have their own problems:
Mbappe is battling a fever, several defenders are still recovering, and Dani Carvajal returns from a major ACL injury, trying to adapt to Alonso’s new system.
But excitement is sky-high as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen are set for their long-awaited Real Madrid debuts.
With tensions rising and global eyes on Hard Rock Stadium, this isn’t just a match — it’s a message.
Can Inzaghi’s underdogs stun the kings of Europe? Or will Madrid remind the world why they wear the crown? 
