Real Madrid comfortably defeated WSG Tirol (0-4) in their only significant test of an unusual pre-season. Arda Guler shone and Mbappe showed hunger to lead ‘Los Blancos’ a week before their La Liga debut against Osasuna.
No Bernabeu Trophy, no tours of Asia or America. Real Madrid’s pre-season has been summed up by a training session against Leganes and this sole serious friendly against WSG Tirol, a more match-fit opponent currently leading the Austrian Bundesliga after two games, but from a completely different level that could do little to prevent an undeniable 0-4 victory. Few conclusions can be drawn from the scoreline; the real substance was on the pitch.
Xabi Alonso departs Innsbruck with positive feelings and a hoarse throat from shouting during a friendly he took very seriously. The Basque coach returned to hallowed ground for the Spanish national team; it was at the Tivoli Stadion – the New Tivoli at the time – where the journey towards Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland began. There, he was able to test formations, ideas, and various players. Perhaps the tests were too limited, although he had already shown his hand in the Club World Cup.
‘Los Blancos’ delivered a strong performance, led by Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler. The French forward departed with a brace and showed great hunger, pushing for a hat-trick that eluded him, and he also assisted Rodrygo for the fourth goal, perhaps, who knows, his last strike for the club. Meanwhile, the Turkish talent provided the forward with his first goal, hit the woodwork twice, and produced a technical masterclass.
Arda: An assist and denied by woodwork twice
Perhaps the biggest news from Real Madrid’s pre-season activities is the confirmation that Arda is going to be important. Toni Kroos’s name keeps coming up, and the need for a top signing to replace him once and for all, but perhaps the Turkish youngster’s transition into more central roles could be key to finding fluency and delivering those crucial passes that have been missed. Ancelotti initiated the positional change, but it’s clear that Xabi Alonso will be the one to truly give him his chance.
Indeed, the midfielder, who occasionally plays centrally, was the first to threaten with a shot from the edge of the box that struck the crossbar. However, shortly after (in the tenth minute), Real Madrid took the lead with a header from Eder Militao following a cross from Brahim. The man from Malaga was impressive, constantly linking up with Arda to appear both inside and on the flanks. Mbappe also did this at times with Vinicius, who was considerably more muted and lacked significant attacking threat.
Two minutes after opening the scoring, Real Madrid’s new No 10 finished off the move for 0-2 with a turn-and-shot following a superb pass from Arda on the right. It was a dominant display that the home side couldn’t contain. Xabi was heavily emphasizing to press after losing possession, focusing on the wingers and midfielders (normally Vinicius and Ceballos) to press in coordinated fashion and maintain pressing even when the ball was near their zone.
From 4-3-3 to a three-centre-back system
In the second half, Guler struck the woodwork for a second time with an exquisite free-kick that hit the crossbar, and he went close again from a rebound after a Vini action. In the 59th minute, following a change in Tirol’s lineup, Mbappe spotted a gap in the defence to receive the ball from Tchouameni and dribble past Eckmayr before slotting into an empty net.
Xabi Alonso seized the opportunity to highlight another significant factor: tactical flexibility. He has gained another useful formation with three centre-backs, a system he largely employed at Bayer Leverkusen. Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Fran Garcia, Rodrygo, and Gonzalo came on – along with Lunin, who saved WSG Tirol’s only clear chance – to shape the team, which featured the Austrian side at its base to control play. Naturally, he was applauded in his home country as one of the most important players in the history of its football.
Gonzalo made an immediate impact, registering a couple of shots, one a header and another with the toe at the near post that almost resulted in a goal. Mbappe positioned himself behind him as a second striker and had another one-on-one opportunity to complete his hat-trick, but Eckmayr denied him. The finishing touch, as mentioned, came from Rodrygo Goes after combining with the Frenchman to beat the goalkeeper from a tight angle along the byline. Academy players such as Daniel Yanez, Pitarch, and Roberto Martin also came on to conclude this near-unique test. Osasuna awaits in seven days.
