A Successful European Stop for Mourinho
Real Madrid continued their 2026 preseason tour with a 2-1 victory over Hungarian side Ferencváros on Saturday, August 8. The match, held at the Ferencváros Stadion in Budapest, served as a crucial testing ground for manager José Mourinho as he balances the integration of new signings with the development of emerging talent from the club’s Castilla academy.
The encounter saw a blend of established first-team regulars and youth prospects starting for Madrid. The lineup featured Andriy Lunin in goal, supported by a defensive unit including Joan Martínez and Mario Rivas. In midfield, the presence of Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga provided stability, while Arda Güler and Endrick spearheaded the attacking efforts.
Youth Prospects Steal the Spotlight
The highlight of the evening was the performance of the Castilla contingent. The decisive opening goal arrived through a display of chemistry between two academy products: Alexis Ciria delivered a precise cross that allowed Mario Rivas to head the ball into the net. This moment underscored the tactical value of the preseason tour, which has prioritized giving academy players opportunities to prove their utility for the upcoming 2026/27 La Liga campaign.
Despite two strong chances from the hosts, Ferencváros could not overcome the visitor’s overall control, and Madrid secured the win. Mourinho utilized the bench extensively in the second half, introducing stars such as Vinícius Jr., Antonio Rüdiger, and recent acquisition Trent Alexander-Arnold, allowing the manager to assess fitness levels across the entire squad.
Looking Toward the La Liga Season
This match was part of a broader European preseason schedule for Real Madrid. Having previously faced Fiorentina in Austria, the squad is now set to return home to prepare for a match against newly promoted RC Deportivo on August 12. The final preseason test will take place on August 16 against German club Schalke 04 in Gelsenkirchen. These fixtures serve as the final preparation before the competitive season officially begins on August 22 with a league opener against Espanyol.