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Real Madrid wrapped up their pre-season preparations with a comfortable 3-0 win over Schalke 04 at the Veltins-Arena. Kylian Mbappe scored early in his first pre-season outing, before manager Jose Mourinho also handed debuts to new signings Marc Cucurella and Yan Diomande.

Madrid cruise past Schalke in final pre-season outing

Los Blancos brought their pre-season campaign to a close with an impressive 3-0 victory over Schalke 04 at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen. Mourinho's team ended their four friendly matches with three wins and one draw. Mbappe got the opening goal in his first pre-season appearance, while Dean Huijsen and Carlos Espi were also on target. The result offered encouraging signs for the Spanish giants ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Mourinho pleased with team development and new debuts

After the game, Mourinho said he was happy with the progress of his squad and with how the new arrivals were settling in. Cucurella and Diomande were both introduced for their debuts on the hour mark.

"At this moment, it's difficult to talk individually because we are growing as a team," Mourinho told Real Madrid TV. "Here, we only have good players, very good players, and very, very, very good players. From the combination of the work of these players, we have to create a very, very good team. That's what we're trying to do, and I think we're taking the right steps to achieve it.

"I'm also very happy with those who arrived last. It's not easy to jump straight into high-intensity training like what we are doing. It's not easy for them to have double sessions in the morning and afternoon, because they train in the morning with the group and in the afternoon with the small group that joined now. With incredible heat. The 5 p.m. training session is really tough, and they arrived with a top mentality."

Mbappe impresses before second-half alterations

Madrid took charge early when Mbappe made the most of a poor back pass from Schallenberg to beat Loris Karius in the sixth minute. Huijsen made it 2-0 in the 20th minute, heading in a precise corner from Arda Guler.

Substitute Espi put the result beyond doubt in the 57th minute by finishing Carreras' cross. Mourinho managed his players' minutes carefully, giving 45 minutes each to Mbappe and Konate, while Jude Bellingham, Cucurella and Diomande each played 30 minutes.

"Then, the question of 45 minutes for Mbappe and Konate or the 30 minutes for Bellingham, Cucurella, and Diomande are things that we analyze scientifically with the data we have," he explained.

"And with the most important factor, which is the player's own experience, the knowledge the player has of their own body. And I think we've reached this good week, which is the next one, in a very acceptable condition for this moment in the season. Let's go for it."

Focus shifts to La Liga opener

With all four warm-up matches now completed, Los Blancos now turn their full focus towards official competitive action. The Spanish side head into the new season with strong momentum after going unbeaten throughout pre-season. Madrid will officially begin their Liga campaign next Saturday against Espanyol. The match will be played at the RCDE Stadium, with Mourinho's side looking to start their domestic season with three points.