PSG vs Real Madrid Lineups – Starting XIs July 9 Semifinal

Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid meet in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup semifinals on July 9 at MetLife Stadium, with both sides forced into defensive adjustments following red cards in the quarterfinals. Luis Enrique’s Parisians will be without Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernández, while Xabi Alonso’s Madrid must cover for the suspended Dean Huijsen according to pre-match reports.

The fixture also marks potential landmark returns. Ousmane Dembélé could make his first start for PSG after recovering from injury, while Kylian Mbappé is poised to face his former employers following an illness-affected buildup Sporting News confirms.

Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid Starting Elevens Today

PSG Predicted XI Formation: 4-3-3 Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos (C), Beraldo, Mendes; Vitinha, Neves, Ruiz; Dembélé, Doué, Kvaratskhelia	Real Madrid Predicted XI Formation: 4-4-2 variant Courtois; Trent, Rüdiger, Asensio, Fran García; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Güler, Bellingham; Mbappé, Vinícius Jr.
Key Matchups Hakimi vs Vinícius on the flank, Mbappé against his former captain Marquinhos, and Mendes tracking his old teammate Mbappé SI details.	Formation Structure PSG maintains its 4-3-3 tournament shape. Madrid shifts to accommodate Huijsen’s absence, potentially utilizing Valverde in defensive roles while maintaining attacking width through the Brazilian forwards.

Gianluigi Donnarumma has started every Club World Cup match, conceding only one goal despite criticism for a collision with Jamal Musiala.
Achraf Hakimi faces his former academy club, adding narrative tension to the right flank battle.
Lucas Beraldo replaces both suspended PSG center-backs; his only prior start in this tournament coincided with the 1-0 defeat to Botafogo.
Kylian Mbappé is likely to make his first start after missing time with illness, having scored a scissor-kick from the bench against Dortmund.
Yellow card accumulation resets for the semifinal stage, allowing previously cautioned players to participate without suspension risk.
Federico Valverde, Real Madrid’s second-most prolific shooter in the tournament, provides midfield balance.
Ousmane Dembélé returns to the starting eleven after injury layoff and a goal-scoring substitute appearance.

Position	PSG Starter	Real Madrid Starter
Goalkeeper	Gianluigi Donnarumma	Thibaut Courtois
Right Back	Achraf Hakimi	Trent Alexander-Arnold
Center Back	Marquinhos (Captain)	Antonio Rüdiger
Center Back	Lucas Beraldo	Raúl Asensio
Left Back	Nuno Mendes	Fran García
Midfield	Vitinha	Jude Bellingham
Midfield	João Neves	Aurélien Tchouaméni
Midfield	Fabián Ruiz	Arda Güler
Right Wing	Ousmane Dembélé	Federico Valverde
Forward	Désiré Doué	Kylian Mbappé
Left Wing	Kvicha Kvaratskhelia	Vinícius Jr.

Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid Lineups 4-0

Searches for the lineups behind Paris Saint-Germain’s 4-0 victory over Real Madrid persist among supporters analyzing the clubs’ 2022-23 Champions League encounters. However, specific starting eleven configurations for that particular result are not documented in the available match records provided for the July 2025 fixture analysis World Soccer Talk notes.

Historical Context from the 2022-23 Campaign

The 2022-23 season marked the last time these sides met in European competition before the Club World Cup appointment. During that period, Kylian Mbappé still led the line for the Parisians, creating the dramatic backdrop for his eventual transfer to the Bernabéu. Tactical setups from that era typically featured Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. alongside Mbappé in attacking roles, though exact configurations for the specific 4-0 scoreline remain unspecified in current data.

Data Limitations for Specific Results

While aggregate scorelines from the 2022-23 round of 16 are frequently referenced, verifiable starting lineups for the specific 4-0, 5-2, or 3-1 scorelines searched by users remain absent from the current dataset. The research confirms only that rivalry context persists, particularly regarding Mbappé’s allegiance shift and the presence of former Real Madrid academy graduate Achraf Hakimi in PSG’s current setup.

Historical Records Gap

Exact player configurations for the frequently searched 4-0 and 5-2 results from 2022-23 are not established in the provided documentation. Analysts should consult official UEFA match archives for verified historical elevens.

Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid Lineups 2022-23

The 2022-23 season represents the most recent European campaign involving both clubs prior to their 2025 Club World Cup collision. That season’s round of 16 tie generated significant search volume for specific lineup configurations, though detailed records for the 5-2 aggregate or 3-1 individual match results are not included in current match previews AS reports.

The Round of 16 Dynamic

During that February 2023 encounter, Paris Saint-Germain hosted Real Madrid at the Parc des Princes before traveling to the Bernabéu. The tactical battle then pitted Christophe Galtier’s Parisian squad against Carlo Ancelotti’s European champions. Current available data does not specify whether those fixtures produced the 4-0, 5-2, or 3-1 results referenced in search queries.

Squad Evolution Since 2023

Significant personnel changes have occurred since those matches. Real Madrid’s acquisition of Mbappé, the departure of Messi and Neymar from Paris, and the appointment of Xabi Alonso in Madrid represent substantial strategic shifts. Consequently, direct lineup comparisons between the 2022-23 era and the July 2025 Club World Cup semifinal offer limited tactical predictive value.

PSG vs Real Madrid Highlights and Key Moments

The July 9 semifinal arrives following contrasting quarterfinal fortunes. Paris Saint-Germain eliminated Bayern Munich 2-0, with Désiré Doué finding the target, while Real Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund despite Dean Huijsen’s early dismissal. These results directly influenced the lineup selections and suspensions affecting the MetLife Stadium encounter PSG.fr confirms.

Quarterfinal Impact

PSG’s defensive crisis stems directly from red cards shown to Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernández during the Bayern victory. Real Madrid’s analogous situation involves Huijsen’s dismissal against Dortmund, forcing Raúl Asensio’s inclusion despite prior disciplinary issues including a conceded penalty and red card in earlier tournament phases.

Defensive Fragility

Both sides field patched-up backlines. Lucas Beraldo’s only previous start in this tournament coincided with PSG’s sole defeat, a 1-0 loss to Botafogo. Asensio returns for Madrid despite errors that cost goals in previous matches Real Madrid confirms.

Match Timeline and Tournament Progression

July 9, 2025: Club World Cup semifinal kicks off at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
Quarterfinals: PSG defeats Bayern Munich 2-0; Real Madrid beats Dortmund but loses Huijsen to red card.
Post-quarterfinals: Luis Enrique confirms suspensions of Pacho and Hernández; Alonso plans without Huijsen.
Pre-match: Dembélé completes recovery protocol; Mbappé trains fully after illness affecting earlier group stage availability.
Tournament buildup: PSG scores 12 goals in five matches; Madrid grows into form under new management.

Established Facts and Remaining Uncertainties

Confirmed Information	Unconfirmed Details
July 9, 2025 date and MetLife Stadium venue	Exact kickoff time variations
Suspensions: Pacho, Hernández (PSG); Huijsen (Madrid)	Final confirmation of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s fitness minutes before kickoff
Donnarumma and Courtois confirmed as starting goalkeepers	Whether Gonzalo García starts ahead of Mbappé
Formations: PSG 4-3-3, Madrid 4-4-2 variants	Specific historical lineups from 2022-23 encounters
Yellow card accumulation reset for semifinals	Exact minute-by-minute tactical adjustments

Tactical Context and Strategic Background

Xabi Alonso’s implementation of a 4-4-2 or flat midfield structure aims to control possession against PSG’s fluid 4-3-3. The approach relies heavily on Jude Bellingham’s late runs and Arda Güler’s distribution from a deep-lying role. This setup contrasts with the more direct approach anticipated from Luis Enrique, who favors Vitinha’s tempo control and the verticality of Dembélé or Kvaratskhelia.

The match also carries significant narrative weight. Mbappé’s first competitive start against his former club and Hakimi’s reunion with the Madrid academy represent human interest angles beyond the tactical battle. For readers tracking related domestic competitions, Everton vs Aston Villa Team News provides additional context on player availability in other leagues.

Sources and Attribution

“Lucas Beraldo steps in for suspended Pacho and Hernández; his prior start was in PSG’s only loss (1-0 to Botafogo).”

— Sports Illustrated, July 2025

“Mbappé likely first start after illness and scissor-kick sub goal vs. Dortmund; faces former club PSG.”

— Sporting News

“Asensio returns despite prior errors (penalty conceded, red card).”

— World Soccer Talk

Summary of Starting Eleven Projections

The July 9 Club World Cup semifinal forces both coaches into defensive compromises. Paris Saint-Germain entrusts Lucas Beraldo alongside Marquinhos, while Real Madrid recalls Raúl Asensio to pair with Rüdiger. In attack, the likely returns of Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé headline tactical battles that will determine which side advances to the final. For additional context on Madrid’s domestic positioning, see Real Madrid vs Girona FC Standings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Trent Alexander-Arnold start for Real Madrid against PSG?

Yes, sources list Trent Alexander-Arnold as the starting right back, with no injury updates suggesting otherwise. He replaces the suspended Dean Huijsen in the defensive setup.

Where can I find statistics for the PSG vs Real Madrid 4-0 match?

Specific statistical breakdowns for the 4-0 result are not included in current Club World Cup documentation. Historical data from that 2022-23 Champions League encounter would require consultation of archived UEFA match reports.

Why are Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernández suspended?

Both PSG defenders received red cards during the 2-0 quarterfinal victory over Bayern Munich, triggering automatic suspensions for the semifinal. Lucas Beraldo replaces them.

Is Kylian Mbappé fit to start?

Kylian Mbappé is expected to make his first start after overcoming illness. He previously appeared as a substitute against Dortmund, scoring with a scissor-kick.

What formation will Xabi Alonso use?

Real Madrid is expected to deploy a 4-4-2 or similar flat midfield formation, emphasizing control through Arda Güler and Jude Bellingham while accommodating defensive absences.

Who captains PSG against Real Madrid?

Marquinhos wears the captain’s armband for Paris Saint-Germain. He is tasked with organizing the makeshift defense and potentially marking his compatriot Mbappé.