Real Madrid and CD Leganés face off this Tuesday, July 28, in a pre-season trial at the Valdebebas Sports City, behind closed doors and without television.
Real Madrid continues its preparations for the 2026/27 season with a new pre-season friendly. This Tuesday, July 28, the team led by José Mourinho takes on CD Leganés at the Valdebebas Sports City, in a match that will be played behind closed doors and without live television coverage. The match, scheduled for 18:00 (local time), will serve both teams to continue fine-tuning their summer preparations.
The white team approaches this test after a 1-0 victory against Alcorcón at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium, with a goal from youth player Daniel Yáñez. Under Mourinho's direction, who returns to the Madrid bench after his first stint, the team aims to regain the solidity lost in the last two seasons without major titles. To this end, the board has strengthened the squad with significant signings such as Bernardo Silva, Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konaté, and Denzel Dumfries. There is also excitement around young Argentine Franco Mastantuono and Ivorian forward Yan Diomandé, who stood out in the last World Cup.
On the other hand, CD Leganés arrives at this commitment as their fifth summer preparation match, having faced Levante, Albacete, Nacional de Madeira, and Penafiel. The pepinero team, now under the technical direction of Rubén Albés, seeks to consolidate a solid and competitive collective unit ahead of the start of the official competition. The Galician coach has opted for a footballing renewal aimed at elevating the quality of the Butarque team.
The recent history between the two teams clearly favours Real Madrid, who won all three encounters in the 2024/25 season. In LaLiga, the whites won 3-0 at Butarque and 3-2 at the Santiago Bernabéu, while in the Copa del Rey they triumphed 3-2 in the quarter-finals, also at the pepinero ground. Nevertheless, Leganés will try to use this friendly to measure their tactical and defensive evolution.
For this match, Mourinho is expected to repeat a lineup similar to that of the last friendly, with Andriy Lunin in goal; a defence formed by Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raúl Asencio, Dean Huijsen, and Álvaro Carreras; a midfield with Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Güler, and Jorge Cestero; and an attacking trio with Franco Mastantuono, Gonzalo García, and Gabri Valero. For Leganés, Rubén Albés could line up Juan Soriano; Álvaro Tejero, Rubén Pulido, Ignasi Miquel, and Enric Franquesa in defence; Amadou Diawara, Gonzalo Melero, and Yassine Kechta in midfield; and Juan Cruz, Álex Millán, and Rubén Peña in attack.
The match, being held behind closed doors at the Valdebebas facilities, will not have any spectators or open television broadcast. Information about the game's development and incidents will depend on the official reports issued by both clubs through their communication channels. For fans wishing to follow the team's updates, the digital platforms of Real Madrid and CD Leganés will provide reports and statements after the match.
This friendly represents an opportunity for Mourinho to continue integrating the new signings into his tactical scheme and for Rubén Albés to adjust his team's defensive and offensive mechanisms. Both coaches aim to arrive at the official season start, which will begin in the coming weeks, with maximum competitive rhythm. Additionally, Real Madrid is finalising its participation in the pre-season tour of the United States, where they will face MLS teams and European clubs.
This Tuesday's match will not only serve as a testing ground for the starters but also for younger players and new signings to prove their worth. The Madrid fans, eager after the market movements, are closely following every detail of the pre-season, hoping that this new phase under Mourinho's leadership will return the club to the path of titles.
You may also like
