Real Madrid travel to Austria with a notably thin midfield after new fitness problems forced changes to the squad for this final preseason fixture.
Fede Valverde was ruled out with a muscular overload in his right leg and will remain behind in Madrid, though he is expected to be available for Real’s LaLiga opener next Tuesday against Osasuna. Eduardo Camavinga is recovering from a sprain and is also doubtful for tonight’s match but might still make the league debut. That leaves just three senior midfielders from the first team available for the trip: Aurélien Tchouaméni, Arda Güler and Dani Ceballos. Xabi Alonso supplemented the list with academy players Thiago Pitarch and Roberto Martín; Pitarch impressed in preseason, having scored against Leganés in the largely private Valdebebas friendly (reports indicate a 4-1 win for the hosts).
Jude Bellingham remains in recovery at Valdebebas after undergoing surgery to address a long-standing shoulder issue that has troubled him since his arrival. The operation follows a demanding last season in which Bellingham was instrumental to Real’s success despite playing with protective gear.
The squad’s preparation for the coming season has been unusually compressed — around three weeks — owing to Real’s involvement in the Club World Cup and LaLiga’s decision not to postpone the Osasuna fixture. Alonso has framed the Club World Cup as part of last season, meaning the current preseason window for implementing new ideas has been very limited. Nevertheless, the USA tour showcased tactical experimentation: Real used phases with three central defenders, and newcomers like Joran Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold showed encouraging signs. Álvaro Carreras made his debut against Leganés and will have another opportunity to stake a claim at left-back, where competition looks fierce between Carreras, Fran García and Ferland Mendy.
Off the pitch, Real Madrid unveiled their 2025–26 third kit: a blue shirt inspired by the Bernabéu stands, trimmed in white and featuring the adidas Originals trefoil.
A further arrival is imminent. On Thursday — his 18th birthday — Franco Mastantuono will be presented as Real Madrid’s fourth signing for the upcoming season. The Argentine midfielder, a River Plate prospect, could be fast-tracked into the first team given the current shortage of central midfield options.
Comments and context
– The temporary midfield shortage is a concern but appears manageable: Valverde is expected back for the league opener, and the club has options from within the squad and academy to cover short-term needs. Mastantuono’s imminent arrival also suggests the club is preparing reinforcements.
– Bellingham’s surgery, while a setback for immediate availability, is a forward-looking decision intended to remove a chronic problem and protect his long-term athletic performance.
– Tactical flexibility shown in the USA (three-center-back phases) gives Xabi Alonso more options early in the season and helps integrate new faces like Huijsen and Alexander-Arnold into the side.
Brief summary
– Valverde out for Austria with muscle overload; Camavinga doubtful with a sprain.
– Available senior midfielders: Tchouaméni, Güler, Ceballos; two academy midfielders also called up.
– Bellingham recovering from shoulder surgery.
– Short preseason (three weeks) due to Club World Cup; tactical experiments included a three-center-back setup.
– New third kit revealed; Franco Mastantuono to be presented on Thursday and could bolster midfield depth.
Hopeful angle
Despite the tight preparation window and fresh injury concerns, the squad has shown adaptability — tactical tweaks during the Club World Cup and promising performances from new or young players suggest Real can absorb short-term absences and still head into the season with competitive depth. The acquisition and imminent presentation of Mastantuono further signal the club’s intent to shore up midfield resources for the campaign ahead.