CF Pachuca vs RB Salzburg in a crucial Group H opener of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. With tournament giants like Real Madrid and Al Hilal also in the group, this matchup is seen as a must-win for both sides aiming to reach the knockout rounds.
• Pachuca, the CONCACAF champions, come into the match with a mix of international experience and attacking firepower. Led by veteran striker Salomón Rondón, supported by creative players like Oussama Idrissi and Alan Bautista, they’ll look to control possession and exploit Salzburg’s youthful defense.
• RB Salzburg, Austria’s top club, bring energy, high pressing, and technical sharpness. With young stars like Oscar Gloukh, Petar Ratkov, and Mads Bidstrup, they aim to overwhelm Pachuca with tempo and width.
Both teams typically line up in a 4‑2‑3‑1 and are expected to go all out for 3 points, knowing a loss could leave them needing an unlikely result against Real Madrid. Salzburg have the edge in form and fitness, while Pachuca offer experience and resilience on big stages.
Recent Team Form
A breakdown of recent form for both teams leading into their clash:
CF Pachuca
Liga MX (Apertura/Clausura combined):
Across the season: 11 W – 8 D – 14 L, averaging 1.24 points per game and currently sitting mid-table .
Home: 7-5-5; Away: 4-3-9 .
Last 6 matches:
2 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses; scoring ~1.33 goals/game .
Last 10 matches:
Approximately 4 W–2 D–4 L, averaging 1.4 PPG .
Form dynamics:
Better at home (≈67% win rate) than on the road (≈0–33% win rate).
Goals for/down: 48 for, 50 conceded (xG ~1.68 vs xGA 1.12); healthy attacking edge, but defence is leaky.
Takeaway
Riding on peaks and troughs, strong in regional tournaments; vulnerable defensively, especially on the road.
RB Salzburg
Austrian Bundesliga:
In last 22 games: 10 W – 8 D – 4 L, with 1.70 PPG; in last 5: 3 W–1 D–1 L, with an improved 2.20 PPG .
Last 5 domestic fixtures:
Lost 2‑1 to Wolfsberger (away), drew 1‑1, won 3‑1 (Austria Wien), then lost 2‑1 to Sturm Graz, and beat Blau-Weiß Linz 2‑1 .
Home dominance:
Undefeated at home: 3 wins in last 3 home games, averaging 2.8 goals/game and positive goal differential .
European form:
Struggled in Champions League: heavy losses to Real Madrid (5‑1) and Atletico (4‑1) .
Takeaway
Salzburg: In a good domestic patch, but recent European disappointments may dent confidence.
Team Form
A detailed look at both CF Pachuca and RB Salzburg, including managers, key players, formations, and more:
CF Pachuca
Head Coach: Jaime Lozano
Appointed in early June 2025 after Guillermo Almada’s departure .
Tactical Setup: Typically operates a 4‑2‑3‑1 (or 4-3-3), favoring attacking width and midfield link-up play .
Key Players:
Salomón Rondón (ST, captain) – Venezuelan striker, team’s top scorer with ~10 goals .
Oussama Idrissi (LW) – Moroccan winger leading in assists (6) and chances created (~37) .
John Kennedy (RW) – Brazilian attacker with 9 goals .
Emanuel Gularte / Sergio Barreto / Andrés Micolta – Defensive core; Barreto and Micolta recent summer signings .
José Castillo – Full-back on loan for this tournament .
Alan Bautista & Javier “La Chofis” López – Creative midfield duo supporting Rondón behind the striker .
Squad Depth:
Goalkeepers: Carlos Moreno (starter), Carlos Rodas, José Téllez .
Back-up CBs include Eduardo Bauermann (new), Gularte, Barreto .
Tournaments: Came as CONCACAF champions and recent Intercontinental Cup runners-up, with international credentials .
RB Salzburg
Head Coach: Thomas Letsch
Leading a youthful, attack-first squad; Czech manager integrates new signings and academy talents .
Tactical Setup: Fluid formation often in a 4‑2‑2‑2 / 4‑2‑3‑1 mold. Emphasizes pressing, high intensity, youth development.
Key Facts:
Club known for nurturing stars like Haaland, Szoboszlai, Upamecano .
Signed Liverpool’s Stefan Bajčetić on loan and promoted academy talents .
Recent domestic record: solid form with ability to score heavily at home .
Strengths & Challenges:
Defensive and offensive structure based on teamwork and pressing.
Youth integration brings pace but may lack consistency vs older, experienced squads.
Coming off modest UEFA showings—e.g., heavy losses in Champions League—but can surprise at club‑WWC.
Predicted Lineup
The predicted lineups for tonight’s clash between Pachuca and RB Salzburg at the Club World Cup:
CF Pachuca (likely 4‑2‑3‑1)
Drawing from recent setups in their Intercontinental Cup run, the expected starters are:
GK: Carlos Moreno
RB: Luis Rodríguez
CBs: Sergio Barreto – Andrés Micolta
LB: Bryan González
CDMs: Elías Montiel – Pedro Pedraza
AMs/Wingers: Alan Bautista – Oussama Idrissi – Nelson Deossa
ST (Captain): Salomón Rondón
Rossets are based on the confirmed XI vs Real Madrid and Botafogo .
RB Salzburg (likely 4‑2‑3‑1)
According to recent Austrian Bundesliga and Champions League projections:
GK: Alexander Schlager (or Janis Blaswich)
RB: Aleksa Terzic
CBs: Samson Baidoo – Mads Dedič
LB: Hendry Blank
CDMs: Mads Bidstrup – Mamady Diambou
Attacking Midfield Trio: Moussa Yeo – Oscar Gloukh – Dorgeles Nene
ST: Petar Ratkov
This mirrors the 4-2-3-1 projected by Sports Gambler and Khel Now.
Importance of Pachuca vs RB Salzburg
This Group H opener is crucial for both clubs due to the high stakes of the new expanded FIFA Club World Cup format:
1. Tournament Significance
• This is the first group match for both teams in the 32-team Club World Cup.
• Only the top two in the group advance to the knockout round of 16, so losing this match puts enormous pressure on the next two games.
• A win means momentum and early control of Group H.
2. For Pachuca
• Representing CONCACAF as champions, Pachuca is carrying North America’s hopes in a tournament dominated historically by Europe and South America.
• This is their debut in the expanded format, and a chance to prove Liga MX’s global competitiveness.
• Success here raises both club and regional prestige especially with Jaime Lozano newly appointed as head coach.
3. For RB Salzburg
• Salzburg are Austria’s first entry into the Club World Cup, showcasing the Red Bull model on the global stage.
• With recent European disappointments, the club views this tournament as a way to regain international respect and promote its academy-driven identity.
• A strong performance here enhances the value of their young talents and Red Bull’s global football branding.
4. Group Dynamics
• With Real Madrid and Al Hilal also in Group H, this match is arguably the most winnable for both sides.
• A draw or loss here could leave either team needing a win against Real Madrid — an incredibly tough task.
Conclusion: Pachuca vs RB Salzburg
The clash between Pachuca and RB Salzburg is more than just a group-stage opener, it’s a pivotal moment for two ambitious clubs with contrasting identities and global goals.
• Pachuca arrive with experience, physical strength, and attacking quality through Salomón Rondón and Oussama Idrissi. They carry the hopes of CONCACAF and Mexico, with a strong legacy in international tournaments.
• Salzburg, meanwhile, bring youthful energy, pressing intensity, and a proven development system. Though less experienced at this level, they are technically sharp and hungry to prove themselves globally.
With Real Madrid and Al Hilal looming, this fixture is effectively a must-win to keep knockout hopes alive. Both teams will likely approach with urgency and attacking intent, making for a tense, high-quality contest.
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