Real Madrid line-up against Schalke 04 in the last pre-season match today

The Real Madrid squad under manager José Mourinho will face Schalke 04 in their final pre-season friendly match today, marking the end of a busy preparation phase. The encounter takes place at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, starting at 17:00 local time. This game represents the sixth and last friendly of the summer for the Spanish giants, who have been testing new tactics and formations throughout the month. The team has shown promising results during its pre-season campaign, with four wins and one draw in five matches so far. Early games against Alcorcón and Leganés saw them dominate defensively while displaying flashes of attacking flair. These initial fixtures were held behind closed doors at Valdebebas, allowing only a limited number of journalists to attend. Subsequent matches, though still friendly in nature, carried more official weight, including draws against Fiorentina and victories over Ferencváros and Deportivo La Coruña. The latter was played at the Trofeo Teresa Herrera, a traditional pre-season fixture. Mourinho’s side continues to build momentum ahead of the new season, with several positive developments emerging. The coach is set to field nearly all his available players, excluding those sidelined with long-term injuries. This includes key figures such as Thibaut Courtois, Kylian Mbappé, and the newly signed stars Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konaté, and Yan Diomandé. These additions bring fresh energy and experience, particularly given the World Cup success of Cucurella and the high-profile nature of Diomandé's transfer. Among the young prospects making their way into the squad are Illia, Mario Rivas, Cestero, and Alexis Ciria. Their inclusion reflects Mourinho’s commitment to integrating talent from the academy into the first team. However, some notable absences remain, notably Aurelien Tchouameni, who did not travel to Germany with the rest of the squad. Long-term injured players such as Mendy, Militao, and Rodrygo are also expected to sit out this match. For the upcoming clash, the starting XI is expected to feature Courtois in goal, supported by a backline of Alexander-Arnold, Rüdiger, Huijsen, and Carreras. In midfield, Valverde, Bernardo Silva, and Camavinga form the core, while the attack sees Güler, Vinicius, and Endrick leading the charge. While these players are likely to start, Mourinho may make tactical adjustments based on how the game unfolds, possibly bringing in substitutes like Thibaut Courtois replacing Lunin in goal. The match will be broadcast live on TVE La 1, Real Madrid TV, and RTVE Play, offering fans free access to watch the action unfold. As the final pre-season test approaches, the focus shifts towards fine-tuning strategies and ensuring cohesion among the squad before the competitive season begins. The outcome of this game could provide valuable insights into the direction of the team heading into the new campaign.