Real Madrid set to play Fiorentina in a pre-season friendly on August 1 – report

Real Madrid’s pre-season schedule is beginning to take shape, with the club set to face Fiorentina in a friendly as part of their preparations for Jose Mourinho’s first season in charge.

According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport (h/tMundo Deportivo), the match will take place on August 1st in Klagenfurt, Austria, offering Mourinho an early opportunity to test his side against European opposition.

A low-key pre-season approach

Real Madrid will begin their pre-season on July 13th at Valdebebas, a date that will mark Mourinho’s official debut as manager of the club.

Mourinho’s team will face Fiorentina on August 1. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

Unlike in previous years, Real Madrid do not plan to embark on a major pre-season tour. Instead, the club will base their preparations at Valdebebas, supplementing their training with a series of friendlies both in Spain and across Europe.

Among those domestic fixtures is the Teresa Herrera Trophy, with the Fiorentina match in Austria forming part of the European leg of their preparations.

It is an approach that aligns with Mourinho’s philosophy. The Portuguese coach had previously expressed a preference for a more focused pre-season with fewer commercial commitments, prioritising physical conditioning and tactical work over the demands of a global tour.

This does make sense, particularly given Real Madrid’s injury problems over the past two seasons.

Early returns for some stars

One of the quirks of this summer is that Mourinho will not have his full squad available during those opening sessions, with several players still involved at the World Cup.

Valverde will return early after Uruguay’s exit. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

However, the early elimination of some of those international stars means a few will return sooner than expected.

Federico Valverde, whose Uruguay side failed to progress from their group, will be among those reporting back early, as will Arda Guler following Turkey’s own World Cup disappointment.

Their early returns could prove valuable for Mourinho, allowing him to integrate two important players into his plans from the outset of pre-season.

For Valverde in particular, who is set to become the club’s first-choice captain after Dani Carvajal’s departure, the extra time to work under the new manager will be welcome.

The clash with Fiorentina should provide a useful early marker of where Mourinho’s rebuild stands.