Real Madrid Announce Surprise Preseason Friendly

Real Madrid have confirmed a surprising addition to their preseason schedule, announcing a friendly match against Austrian side WSG Tirol on August 12th at the Tivoli Stadium in Innsbruck, Austria. This unexpected fixture comes just one week before their La Liga season officially kicks off on August 19th against Osasuna.

The decision to schedule this friendly has raised some eyebrows, as Real Madrid had initially planned to forgo any traditional preseason matches this summer. This was largely due to their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, which extended their 2024-25 season into July and significantly shortened their offseason break. The club had reportedly sought to delay their La Liga start to allow players more rest and preparation, but this request was denied by Spanish authorities.

The game against WSG Tirol, a top-flight Austrian team that finished 10th in their league last season, is seen primarily as a fitness-building exercise. With only a 15-day preseason window following the Club World Cup, manager Xabi Alonso will be looking to get his squad up to speed quickly. Reports suggest there will be no extended training camp in Austria, with the team expected to return to Spain immediately after the match to continue their final preparations.

While the fixture is unlikely to present a significant sporting challenge for the Spanish giants, it provides a valuable opportunity for players to regain match sharpness. Notably, Jude Bellingham is expected to be absent from the traveling squad as he continues to recover from a shoulder operation. Other players like Ferland Mendy and David Alaba will also be assessed for their fitness in the coming days.

This friendly marks a departure from Real Madrid's initial preseason strategy and highlights the club's efforts to maximize preparation time in a condensed schedule, particularly after a demanding Club World Cup campaign.