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Pre-season football can feel like a string of rehearsals light on pressure, heavy on adjustments. For Real Madrid, the trip to Innsbruck to face WSG Tirol was exactly that. No fireworks, no grand declarations, just a calm sharpening of tools before the first real whistle of La Liga
The Setting: Summer Football in the Alps
Tivoli Staduim Tirol sits neatly against the backdrop of the Austrian mountains, holding around 17,000 seats. On this warm 26°C evening, the place had the easy buzz of a friendly families in the stands, plenty of away shirts, and the low hum of expectation. It looked relaxed. But once the ball rolled, Madrid’s approach was anything but casual.
Alonso’s Starting Point
Xabi Alonso named a side that balanced certainty with curiosity. Courtois was back in goal. Ahead of him, a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Éder Militão, Dean Huijsen, and new signing Álvaro Carreras. The midfield carried Arda Güler’s creative spark, Aurélien Tchouaméni’s composure, and Dani Ceballos’ steady rhythm. Up front, Vinícius Júnior wore the armband, flanked by Kylian Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
Goals That Told a Story
- 10’ – Militão rose above everyone to head home Brahim’s cross. First game back from injury, first goal.
- 13’ – Mbappé struck with that familiar economy of motion, sweeping in a Güler pass.
- 59’ – Tchouaméni split the Tirol defence with a pass Mbappé couldn’t miss.
- 81’ – The cleanest move of the night: a one-two punch between Mbappé and Rodrygo, finished with quiet precision.
By the end, the scoreboard read 4–0. The gulf in class had been clear from the opening minutes.
Players Who Left a Mark
| Player | Why They Stood Out |
| Kylian Mbappé | Two goals, an assist, and a sense that he’s already at home. |
| Arda Güler | Twice smacked the woodwork, ran the midfield with invention. |
| Dean Huijsen | Controlled in possession, hit 13 accurate long balls. |
| Álvaro Carreras | Handled his debut with poise and pride. |
| Éder Militão | Looked sharp after a long layoff, paired well with Tchouaméni’s cover. |
Courtois could have played in trainers. Madrid’s dominance meant he barely saw the ball.
What This Game Really Showed
The scoreline will fade, but the patterns won’t. Even without Bellingham, Valverde, Camavinga, Mendy, and Alaba, Madrid’s structure held. There was room for small experiments—Alexander-Arnold adjusting into Madrid’s rhythm, Carreras stepping into a demanding role, and Mbappé building chemistry with Vinícius and Rodrygo.
Not everyone was convinced by the summer’s itinerary. Journalist Tomás Roncero called it “the most strange in the club’s history” and took aim at the absence of the Trofeo Bernabéu, a tradition dating back to 1979.
Looking Ahead
Next week, Osasuna visit the Bernabéu for the league opener. If Innsbruck was a test, Madrid passed it without breaking stride. Pre-season games can be forgettable. This one felt like a quiet promise that they’ll be ready when the real business starts.