Not perfect, but deadly, Real Madrid, still being honed, makes Manchester City and Juventus have to fight in the last round

Real Madrid may not be flawless, but their terrifying deterrence is beyond doubt. They never need a big fanfare declaration, they just need to quietly return to their peak state at critical moments - this is enough to make top teams like Manchester City and Juventus look at them and feel fearful.

In this 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Real Madrid once again showed that familiar "Real Madrid moment". This is not a momentary burst of some superstar, but a powerful return that is low-key, restrained, yet disturbing. That power made the opponent shudder even before they even made their debut.

After just two group matches, the Real Madrid coached by Xavi Alonso warned the world: many people seem to have forgotten that Real Madrid never needs to perform amazingly throughout the game. They just need to exert force at critical moments to completely disrupt all the deployment and rhythm of other teams.

What is even more terrifying is that Real Madrid is now in the adjustment and running-in stage and is still testing the lineup. However, a "Galaxy Battleship" that has not yet found its best condition has enough strength and can still defeat Pachuca in the adversity of being sent off one person in the seventh minute of the game. This is undoubtedly the most powerful proof: even if they are not at their peak, they are still the nightmare that all opponents are most reluctant to encounter.

In such short-term events with a tight schedule and fierce competition, premature mistakes often herald disasters. But for Real Madrid, the loss in the first game (due to Valverde's penalty kick) has become a unique catalyst.

Their response was not panic, but the calmness that only experienced champions could have. In the second game, they controlled the rhythm and played steadily. They not only scored three goals, but also showed their unquestionable kingly style while playing one less.

Real Madrid is not perfect, but this is exactly what makes them most scary.

From this moment on, a dramatic situation began to emerge. If Real Madrid qualifies as first in the group, they will play against second in Group G in the round of 16 knockouts - which is most likely Manchester City or Juventus. The problem is that neither of these two European giants has yet to determine who can lock in the top spot in the group. Real Madrid has the advantage of late-movers, and they know clearly who will be the next opponent waiting for them.

This is a psychological game where no one wants to fall into a passive position, but no one can avoid it.

People often say that just play your own game well and don’t worry about who your opponent is. But in today's Club World Cup, when the name "Real Madrid" appears at the group intersection of the knockout round, this sentence has long lost its original meaning. In such a tight schedule and every knockout game is crucial, no team is willing to face the opponent who has successively failed European giants such as Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Liverpool in the Champions League in the past few years.

Guardiola is well aware of this, and Juventus knows it well. They didn't mention it, but they knew in their hearts that the upcoming contest between them was not just about competing for the top spot in the group - it was also a battle to "avoid Real Madrid". No matter who wins and loses in the end, who is first and who is second, they may have to face the nightmare brought by this White Legion.

What really makes Real Madrid unique is not just the cold data or exquisite tactical formation, but the temperament flowing in their bones. The more difficult they are in, the less they will collapse easily. Instead, they will silently tighten the defense line, play a game with strict discipline and tenacious style, and patiently wait for the excellent opportunity to win with one blow. They can play pleasing and gorgeous football, but when needed, they can fight to the last moment like bloody warriors. It is this unique characteristic that makes Manchester City and Juventus, who are currently in hot form, have to keep it cautious.

Real Madrid is the most avoidable name in the knockout stage.

And Real Madrid itself knows this. They kept silent and made no arrogant statements. They let the outside world talk about the sharpness of Manchester City's forward line and the toughness of Juventus' midfield, while they silently occupy the top position in the group, quietly observing who the next opponent is. For them, this is not an ordinary game, but a familiar turning point - the real Real Madrid mode is being launched and the road to the championship has been clearly opened.

In this Club World Cup, Real Madrid is the ghostly figure. Even if they haven't reached their best yet, they can still make all their opponents' tactical plans fragile and shaky. When the door to the knockout round slowly opened, no one wanted to look up and see the white that stood opposite him - calm, sophisticated, and ready to smash all dreams at any time.