Real Madrid have completed their final training session ahead of their opening La Liga match of the season, with José Mourinho’s side preparing to face Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. The match will be broadcast on Orange TV and DAZN.
The final session took place at Ciudad Real Madrid and was designed to fine-tune the team’s tactical and physical preparation before the trip to Barcelona. With the start of the league campaign now just hours away, the coaching staff focused on intensity, ball work and finishing, while also continuing to manage the fitness of several players who are not yet training fully with the group.
The session began on the pitch with possession drills and pressing exercises. These activities allowed the players to work on quick circulation of the ball, movement off the ball and coordinated pressure when possession was lost. Such exercises are particularly important ahead of an away match, where Real Madrid will be expected to control the tempo while remaining alert to Espanyol’s transitions and counterattacks.
🚨 Dernier entraînement du Real Madrid avant d’affronter l’Espanyol ce samedi !
— Le Journal du Real (@lejournaldureal) August 21, 2026
✅ Tchouameni est bien présent.
❌ Endrick, Militão, Thiago Pitarch, Ferland Mendy, Raul Asencio et Rodrygo sont absents.
🎥 @ainoafrndz pic.twitter.com/vvAmLFgqMK
After the opening phase, Mourinho and his staff moved on to tactical work. The players rehearsed different situations that could arise during the match, with particular attention paid to team shape, defensive organization and attacking movements. The Portuguese coach has been using a 4-2-3-1 system throughout pre-season, although the formation can change depending on the different phases of play.
The squad then played a series of small-sided matches on reduced pitches. These games were aimed at increasing the speed of decision-making and improving combinations in tight spaces. They also provided an opportunity for the coaching staff to observe the sharpness of the players likely to be involved against Espanyol.
The training session ended with finishing drills. The attackers and midfielders worked on different types of shots and final actions around the penalty area, while the goalkeepers were tested with repeated efforts. Real Madrid will hope that this final work in front of goal can translate into efficiency when the competitive season begins.
Several players, however, continued to follow individual programs. Endrick, Ferland Mendy, Raúl Asencio, Thiago, Éder Militão and Rodrygo all trained separately from the main group. Their situations are being monitored carefully as the medical and fitness staff continue to manage their respective recovery processes.
For Mourinho, the main objective is now to arrive at the RCDE Stadium with a competitive and well-organized team. After weeks of preparation and a busy pre-season, Real Madrid are finally ready to begin their La Liga campaign. The opening match against Espanyol will provide the first real test of the team’s progress and give supporters an early indication of how Mourinho’s new-look side is developing.
Confidence is high after the work completed during pre-season, but the players know that league football brings a different level of pressure and concentration. A strong performance in Barcelona would give the team early momentum, especially with a demanding schedule ahead. Every detail from this final session could therefore prove important on Saturday night.
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