After initially planning to have no pre-season fixtures this summer, Real Madrid have confirmed they will play one friendly match, announcing a surprise trip to face Austrian side WSG Tirol on August 12.
The club had not previously scheduled any warm-up games following their players’ exploits at the Club World Cup. They had sought to delay their start to the upcoming La Liga season to allow for more rest, but this request was rejected by the Spanish football authorities.
While Real Madrid are expected to appeal that ruling, they have now scheduled this fixture to ensure the players get some match fitness before the new campaign.
To minimize the friendly’s disruption to their preparations, the club has confirmed there will be no training camp in Austria. Xabi Alonso’s side is expected to fly in for the game and return to Spain immediately afterward.
The match against WSG Tirol, who battled to avoid relegation from Austria’s top flight last season, is not seen as a genuine sporting challenge. Instead, it is viewed purely as an exercise to build match fitness for the squad after a three-week break.
This single friendly is scheduled to take place just seven days before Real Madrid’s La Liga campaign officially begins with an opening fixture against Osasuna on August 19.
Forced into action by the league’s ruling, fans will now have just one opportunity to see Xabi Alonso’s new-look side in action before the competitive season gets underway.