Real Madrid Concludes Pre-Season with 3-0 Win over Schalke
Real Madrid wrapped up their pre-season schedule on Sunday with an impressive 3-0 victory against Schalke at the VELTINS-Arena. The goals came from Kylian Mbappe, Dean Huijsen, and summer addition Carlos Espi, marking a successful lead-up to the 2026-27 season, during which Los Blancos secured four wins out of five matches.
In an interview with Real Madrid TV, head coach Jose Mourinho shared his insights on the team’s progress ahead of their upcoming opener against Espanyol next week. He expressed satisfaction with the players’ current condition, including those returning from an extended break after the 2026 World Cup.
“Currently, it’s hard to evaluate players individually because we are developing as a unit. We only have good, very good, and exceptionally good players. Our focus is on combining their strengths to create a strong team. I believe we are making the right strides toward that goal,” Mourinho stated.
He highlighted the challenges faced by players fitting into a high-intensity training schedule, noting the impact of the summer heat. “I’m very pleased with our recent arrivals; it’s not easy to adapt quickly, but they have shown an excellent mentality. We analyze each player’s condition using scientific data and their personal experiences to ensure we’re in a good state for this phase of the season.”
Mourinho: Team Cohesion is Improving
Mourinho also emphasized the importance of building team cohesion as the players work towards match readiness.
“There is a clear difference in pace, but tactically, our ideas are beginning to click. We have highly skilled players who are collaborating effectively, both with and without the ball. This match served as an excellent final test and was a solid training session as we prepare for the competitive phase ahead,” he remarked.
“Everyone is present and excited. If any players were absent, it would pose a concern. They have demonstrated their commitment. The small yet significant details matter; individuals who needed to showcase their skills have stepped up, and those who joined late prepared very well on their own. We are fostering teamwork, empathy, and collective effort, and the team is beginning to reflect that unity.”
Real Madrid ended their pre-season schedule in fine style on Sunday with a resounding 3-0 victory over Schalke at the VELTINS-Arena. Kylian Mbappe, Dean Huijsen and summer signing Carlos Espi all scored for Los Blancos, who won four of their five fixtures in the lead-up to the 2026-27 campaign starting next weekend.
As per MD, head coach Jose Mourinho spoke to Real Madrid TV to discuss where he sees his side ahead of the season opener against Espanyol next week. He admitted that he is pleased with everyone’s condition, including those who only just returned following an extended break after the 2026 World Cup.
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“At the moment, it’s difficult to speak individually, because we’re growing as a team. Here we only have good, very good and very, very good players. From the combination of the work of these players we have to make a very good team. I think we are taking the right steps to do it.
“I’m very happy with the last ones who arrived, it’s not easy to get into a high intensity, have a double session morning and afternoon, an incredible heat, and they arrived with a top mentality. The question of 45 minutes for Kylian, for Konate, 30 for Jude, Cucurella, Diomande, are things that we analyse scientifically with data we have and with the player’s own experience, the knowledge of his body. We arrive in a very acceptable condition for this moment of the season.”
Mourinho: We’re starting to look like a team
Mourinho is also pleased with how his players are becoming a cohesive unit, and he expects things to get better and better as they all get up to match speed.
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“There is a difference in pace, but tactically the ideas are gradually going. Players of superior quality, incredible. Working very well as a team, with the ball, without the ball, a very good test, a very good last training session before starting the good part, which is to really compete, to fight for points. It’s what we like.
“We are all here. The players are excited. If they are not there, we have a problem. They are showing that they are there. Small big details, people who had to show up one day come earlier, the people who come on the last day prepared very well individually, we are playing as a team, there is empathy and collective work, the team is looking like a team.”
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