Real Madrid head into the new LaLiga season with Jose Mourinho encouraged by the progress of his squad after a convincing 3-0 victory over Schalke.
Kylian Mbappe marked his first pre-season appearance by opening the scoring after just six minutes, capitalising on a poor backpass before calmly finishing past Loris Karius. Dean Huijsen then doubled the advantage in the 20th minute, heading in from Arda Guler’s corner.
Carlos Espi completed the scoring shortly before the hour mark, converting a cross from Alvaro Carreras to round off a strong display from Los Blancos.
The result gave Madrid a positive finish to their preparations, with Mourinho’s side now turning their attention to next weekend’s LaLiga opener against Espanyol.
Mourinho was particularly pleased with the way his squad is beginning to develop collectively, rather than focusing on individual performances.
“At this moment, it’s difficult to talk individually because we are growing as a team,” Mourinho told Real Madrid TV. “We only have good players, very good players, and very, very good players. From the combination of the work of these players we have to create a very, very good team.”
The Portuguese coach also highlighted the progress made by players who joined the group later, including those returning from the 2026 World Cup.
Madrid carefully managed their minutes, with Mbappe and Ibrahima Konate playing 45 minutes, while Jude Bellingham, Marc Cucurella and Yan Diomande featured for half an hour. Cucurella and Diomande were among the players making their Madrid debuts.
Mourinho said the decisions were based on performance data as well as the players’ understanding of their own physical condition.
“Those who started on the first day have had 30 training sessions and six matches; those who arrived now have had three or four training sessions,” he said. “There’s obviously a difference in rhythm, intensity and stamina, but tactically the ideas are gradually taking shape.”
