Real Madrid stepped up their 2026/27 pre-season preparations with a commanding 4-1 victory over Leganes, a Second Division side, at Real Madrid City in Valdebebas.

In their first partially open pre-season fixture—following a behind-closed-doors 1-0 training match win over Alcorcon last Friday—Jose Mourinho was forced to navigate a threadbare squad, with just 13 outfield players available due to the absence of those who reached the latter stages of the World Cup, such as Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe. Mixing academy prospects with a handful of senior mainstays, the 'merengues' asserted their dominance without major difficulties.

Fede Valverde donned the captain's armband in a makeshift starting XI, shaped by absences and the need to blood academy youngsters. The Uruguayan midfielder took the initiative early on and opened the scoring in the 21st minute after an assist from Arda Guler.

Shortly after, Gonzalo Garcia doubled the lead in the 25th minute, applying the finish to a move sparked by Trent Alexander-Arnold. Even with limited personnel during this training phase, Valverde’s leadership on and off the pitch was again a focal point, coming off the back of a World Cup campaign where he faced criticism in Uruguay.

After the break, with no press footage allowed, Franco Mastantuono emerged as one of the standout performers of the match. The young Argentine was handed a start by Mourinho and repaid the manager's faith, netting in the 58th minute. His inclusion from the off highlighted the Portuguese tactician's strategy of exploring alternative options while awaiting the return of his senior stars.

The third Madrid strike bore the signature of the Argentine, before Ruben Pulido, into his own net, sealed the final 4-1 scoreline in the 60th minute. Naim Garcia had scored Leganes's solitary goal in the 36th minute with an individual effort past Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Real Madrid's starting line-up featured: Lunin; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Guler, Valverde, Camavinga; Ciria, Gonzalo Garcia, and Mastantuono. Hampered by limited options, Mourinho made just two changes at the interval: Diego Yanez replaced Ciria, while Rivas came on for Raul Asencio.

Real Madrid's next pre-season test comes on August 1st, when they face Fiorentina on Austrian soil. Their official LaLiga opener is scheduled for August 22nd, when Mourinho's side will travel to face Espanyol in Barcelona.

Rubén Pulido

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