Real Madrid are continuing their preparations for the final friendly match of the pre-season, with José Mourinho’s side set to face Schalke 04 on Sunday at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen. The match will kick off at 5:00 PM and will be broadcast live on Realmadrid TV and RM Play.
With the start of the new competitive season approaching, Mourinho and his coaching staff are using every training session to ensure that the squad reaches the required physical and tactical level. The latest session at Ciudad Real Madrid once again combined fitness work, tactical exercises and ball-based drills as the players prepare for their final test before the official campaign gets underway.
The session began inside the gym, where the players completed a series of physical exercises designed to improve strength and conditioning. The squad then moved onto the training pitches, where the coaching staff organised several demanding fitness drills without the ball.
Once that phase had been completed, Mourinho turned his attention to tactical work. The Portuguese coach continues to fine-tune the team’s organisation and positioning, with the Schalke friendly offering another important opportunity to test different ideas, formations and combinations.
The players later worked extensively with the ball. The session included pressing exercises, combination play, ball carrying and finishing drills. These activities were designed to improve the team’s intensity both in and out of possession while also sharpening the players’ attacking movements in the final third.
Real Madrid have gradually increased the workload throughout the pre-season as more first-team players have returned to training. Mourinho will be hoping to see further progress against Schalke, particularly as this will be the final opportunity to make adjustments in a match situation before competitive football begins.
However, several members of the squad are still following individual training programmes. Endrick worked inside the facilities rather than taking part in the main group session. The Brazilian striker is being carefully managed ahead of the upcoming fixtures.
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Aurélien Tchouameni and Raúl Asencio also trained separately, completing individual work both indoors and on the pitch. Their progress continues to be monitored closely by the club’s medical and fitness staff.
Meanwhile, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo, Éder Militão and Thiago are continuing their respective recovery programmes. Real Madrid are not expected to take unnecessary risks with any player during the final stages of the pre-season.
Sunday’s encounter against Schalke 04 will therefore represent an important final examination for Mourinho’s squad. Playing at the Veltins-Arena in front of a large crowd should provide Real Madrid with a demanding atmosphere and a useful test before the serious business begins.
After several weeks of preparation, physical work and tactical adjustments, Mourinho will be looking for another step forward from his players in Germany. The priority will be to improve the team’s rhythm, build greater understanding between the players and complete the pre-season in the best possible condition ahead of the new campaign.
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