Real Madrid Faces WSG Tirol in Preseason Test Amid Key Absences
So, here’s the scene — Real Madrid’s 2025–26 season hasn’t even kicked off yet, but they’re already packing their bags and heading to Austria for what will be their first and only preseason test: a friendly against WSG Tirol. It’s happening at the Tivoli Stadion Tirol in Innsbruck, and while it’s “just” a preseason match, it’s carrying a lot of weight because Xabi Alonso’s squad is dealing with a laundry list of injuries.
In total, five players are out — Mendy, Camavinga, Valverde, Bellingham, and Endrick. That means the midfield, in particular, will be completely reshaped. Dani Ceballos is stepping in for Valverde, and this will be a chance for him to prove he can fill those big shoes.
Xabi is expected to stick with the same system used in the 4-1 win over Leganés last Friday — a 4-3-3 formation. Thibaut Courtois will be guarding the net, with Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right, Militao and Huijsen as the central pairing, and Carreras on the left. Militao, by the way, is being praised heavily for his fitness and the sheer presence he brings to the defense.
Also Read:In midfield, Tchouameni will anchor the pivot role, flanked by Ceballos and Arda Güler. The Güler–Huijsen connection, which caught attention during the Club World Cup, might get more chances to shine, particularly in how they handle ball progression from deep.
Up front, there’s no debate — the firepower is set: Kylian Mbappé starting from the left, Vinicius Jr. on the right, and Gonzalo as the central striker. It’s a combination that promises speed, skill, and plenty of headaches for Tirol’s defense.
On the bench, Xabi will have Lunin, Fran González, Asencio, Fran GarcÃa, Rüdiger, Diego Aguado, Thiago, Roberto MartÃn, Brahim, and Yáñez ready to rotate in. This friendly is not just about winning; it’s about testing combinations, giving minutes to younger players, and getting the team sharp for their LaLiga opener against Osasuna on August 19.
The squad traveled from Madrid-Barajas airport straight to Innsbruck, and they’re now settled at the Interalpen Hotel Tyrol, where final preparations will take place. Even though this is technically just a warm-up game, the focus is intense — it’s the only match before competitive action begins, so whatever Xabi experiments with here will likely set the tone for the start of the season.
So, fans can expect a mix of excitement and curiosity — excitement because Mbappé and Vinicius will be on the pitch together, curiosity because injuries have forced a reshuffle that might just uncover new partnerships. And for Real Madrid, even a preseason game feels like a stage where statements are made.
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