Real Madrid Concludes Pre-Season with Dominant Victory as Kylian Mbappe Scores and Yan Diomande Makes His Debut

In a commanding performance, Real Madrid secured a 3-0 victory over Schalke in their final pre-season friendly, showcasing the talents of both established stars and new signings. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring just five minutes into the match, capitalizing on a defensive blunder from Schalke. The lead was extended 15 minutes later when Huijsen found the net with a header, and substitute Espi sealed the win with a goal in the second half.

This victory marks the fourth consecutive win for manager Jose Mourinho during the pre-season, maintaining his unbeaten record as he prepares the team for their La Liga opener against Espanyol next Saturday. Mourinho expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, noting the positive contributions from both the squad as a whole and individual players. "It was positive as a team, and positive individually," he stated, highlighting the varying levels of fitness among players who joined at different times during the pre-season.

Mourinho acknowledged the challenges faced by newer arrivals, such as Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva, who were included in the starting lineup. He pointed out that while some players have undergone extensive training, others are still acclimating to the team's rhythm and intensity. "Those who started on day one have had 30 training sessions and six matches, while those who arrived recently have had three or four training sessions," he explained.

Real Madrid made several substitutions in the second half, bringing on players like Andriy Lunin, Antonio Rudiger, Eduardo Camavinga, and Espi, with Yan Diomande and Marc Cucurella also making their appearances. Jude Bellingham, who joined the squad just days prior, also saw some playing time. Cucurella expressed his enthusiasm about the match, stating, "I think it was a good game from everyone, and it is our last result before starting the league. It was a long wait, and I am looking forward to getting started in the league."

Mourinho emphasized the importance of team cohesion, stating, "At this point, it's difficult to talk about individuals because we are growing as a team. We only have good players, very good players, and from the combined work of these players, we have to create a very, very good team." He acknowledged the challenges of adapting to the high intensity of training sessions, especially in the heat, but remains optimistic about the team's progress as they prepare for the upcoming season.