Real Madrid have completed their final training session at Ciudad Real Madrid ahead of their fourth pre-season friendly, which will see José Mourinho’s side face German club Schalke 04 at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday. The match is scheduled to kick off at 5:00 PM and will be broadcast live on Realmadrid TV and RM Play.
The encounter represents another important step in Real Madrid’s preparations for the new season. With competitive football approaching, Mourinho and his coaching staff are continuing to work on the team’s physical condition, tactical organisation and overall match rhythm.
The players began their final session with work inside the gym, focusing on physical preparation before moving onto the training pitch. Once outside, the squad completed a series of activation drills designed to prepare the players for the more demanding parts of the session.
The team then worked on ball circulation and pressing exercises, two key aspects of Mourinho’s tactical approach. The Portuguese coach wants his side to play with greater intensity both in possession and when trying to recover the ball, and these exercises provided another opportunity to refine the team’s movements.
A tactical phase followed, with Mourinho and his staff working on positioning, organisation and different situations that could arise during the match against Schalke 04. With the start of the official season getting closer, every training session is becoming increasingly important as the coach looks to establish his preferred system and assess the condition of his players.
The session ended with a series of small-sided matches, allowing the squad to work at a higher intensity while improving combinations, pressing and finishing in reduced spaces.
Not every member of the squad was able to complete the session with the group. Aurélien Tchouameni and Endrick worked inside the club’s facilities as they followed individual programmes.
Meanwhile, Raúl Asencio, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo, Éder Militão and Thiago continued their respective recovery processes. Their situations will continue to be managed carefully by the club’s medical and coaching staff as Real Madrid look to avoid unnecessary risks during pre-season.
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Sunday’s friendly at the Veltins-Arena will therefore offer Mourinho another valuable opportunity to evaluate his squad. The Portuguese coach will be able to test different combinations, give minutes to players who are building up their fitness and continue preparing his team tactically.
Schalke 04 should also provide a demanding test in front of their home supporters in Gelsenkirchen. For Real Madrid, however, the main objective remains preparation rather than the result.
With the new campaign drawing closer, Mourinho will be looking for another step forward from his players as Real Madrid continue to build their fitness, tactical understanding and competitive rhythm before the start of the official season.
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