Live Blog!: Schalke 04 vs. Real Madrid in International Friendly
First Half 🔵⚪ Schalke 04 vs Real Madrid ⚪
⏱️ Min 35 | 🔵⚪ 🆚 ⚪
Schalke 04 survives! A huge defensive intervention from captain Timo Becker, who clears the ball virtually off the goal line. Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. combine brilliantly at full speed and come extremely close to scoring Real Madrid's third. When those two accelerate, the German defense is struggling to contain them.
🔵⚪ Schalke 04 0-2 Real Madrid ⚪
⏱️ Min 32 | 🔵⚪ 🆚 ⚪
WHAT A SAVE BY LORIS KARIUS! Kylian Mbappé delivers an excellent cross into the box and Dean Huijsen meets it with a powerful point-blank header, but the German goalkeeper produces a spectacular reaction save to deny Real Madrid a third goal. Brilliant from Karius!
🔵⚪ Schalke 04 0-2 Real Madrid ⚪
⏱️ Min 30 | 🔵⚪ 🆚 ⚪
The first real chance for Schalke 04! Moussa Sylla attempts a volley from inside the box, but he fails to make clean contact and sends his effort well wide of the Real Madrid goal. It never truly threatens the goalkeeper, but the hosts are beginning to push further forward.
🔵⚪ Schalke 04 0-2 Real Madrid ⚪
⏱️ Min 26 | 🔵⚪ 🆚 ⚪
Schalke 04 is beginning to see more of the ball and pushing higher in search of a goal, but Real Madrid remains extremely well organized defensively and is giving away very little space. José Mourinho's side is waiting for another opportunity to break at full speed through Vinícius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé, two weapons capable of turning any German mistake into a third goal. Mou's team looks very disciplined in Gelsenkirchen.
🔵⚪ Schalke 04 0-2 Real Madrid ⚪
⏱️ Min 19 | 🔵⚪ 🆚 ⚪
GOOOOOOOOOAL FOR REAL MADRID!!! Dean Huijsen scores with a header! Arda Güler delivers a perfectly placed corner and the Spanish defender rises above the defense to power the ball into the back of the net. José Mourinho's side is in complete control, playing well and quickly extending its advantage in Germany.
🔵⚪ Schalke 04 0-2 Real Madrid ⚪
⏱️ Min 15 | 🔵⚪ 🆚 ⚪
A very interesting tactical battle is developing in Gelsenkirchen. Real Madrid looks extremely organized, while Schalke 04 is pressing high in an attempt to win the ball and create danger near the opposition box. However, that high defensive line is also leaving space for Kylian Mbappé's pace, with Bernardo Silva and Arda Güler looking to exploit it with through balls.
🔵⚪ Schalke 04 0-1 Real Madrid ⚪
⏱️ Min 12 | 🔵⚪ 🆚 ⚪
What a run from Kylian Mbappé! The Frenchman bursts forward with tremendous pace, leaves the Schalke 04 defense behind and creates enough space to get his shot away, but Loris Karius produces a brilliant save to deny Real Madrid a second goal. Mbappé is causing all kinds of problems for the German defense!
🔵⚪ Schalke 04 0-1 Real Madrid ⚪
⏱️ Min 10 | 🔵⚪ 🆚 ⚪
Kylian Mbappé comes close! The Frenchman threatens again for Real Madrid, finding space outside the box before attempting a curling shot across goal. His effort goes just wide of Loris Karius' net. Mbappé is already hunting for his second.
🔵⚪ Schalke 04 0-1 Real Madrid ⚪
⏱️ Min 5 | 🔵⚪ 🆚 ⚪
GOOOOOOOOOAL FOR REAL MADRID!!! Kylian Mbappé makes no mistake! A costly error from Schalke 04 while playing out from the back leaves the French striker completely alone against Loris Karius. Mbappé keeps his composure and finishes to give José Mourinho's side an early lead!
🔵⚪ Schalke 04 0-1 Real Madrid ⚪
⏱️ Min 1 | 🔵⚪ 🆚 ⚪
WE'RE UNDERWAY! The ball is rolling at the VELTINS-Arena as Schalke 04 and Real Madrid kick off this international friendly. A spectacular atmosphere in Gelsenkirchen as the stadium celebrates its 25th anniversary, while José Mourinho's side plays its final tune-up before the start of LaLiga.
🔵⚪ Schalke 04 0-0 Real Madrid ⚪
Pregame | 🔵⚪ 🆚 ⚪
This match comes with a very special backdrop: Schalke 04 hosts Real Madrid at the VELTINS-Arena as part of the celebrations marking the stadium's 25th anniversary in Gelsenkirchen. The match also represents the final preseason friendly for Real Madrid before the start of LaLiga, making it the last major test for José Mourinho's side before competitive action begins.
🔵⚪ Schalke 04 vs Real Madrid ⚪
Preseason continues for Real Madrid, and this time they travel to Germany for a special occasion. José Mourinho’s side will face Schalke 04 in a friendly that will serve as one of their final tests before the official start of the season.
The match will also be special for the German club. Schalke 04 are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the opening of their stadium against one of Europe’s biggest clubs. They are also preparing for their return to the Bundesliga after earning promotion following three seasons in Germany’s second division.
Real Madrid Continue Fine-Tuning Mourinho’s Machine
Real Madrid enter the match after winning the Trofeo Teresa Herrera with a 1-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruña at Riazor thanks to a goal from Brahim Díaz.
Before that, Los Blancos drew 2-2 against Fiorentina and defeated Ferencvaros 2-1, results that have allowed Mourinho to begin drawing conclusions about his new-look team.
The Portuguese coach has increased the intensity of training sessions in recent days, and this match represents another opportunity to fine-tune both physical and tactical details.
There are also some major additions to the squad. Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Marc Cucurella are now back in Mourinho’s plans for this match after rejoining the group, although it remains to be seen how many minutes they could play.
Another name to watch will be Yan Diomandé, who has also been called up and could play his first minutes in a Real Madrid shirt.
Karius Meets Real Madrid Again
One of the biggest storylines will be in Schalke 04’s goal.
Loris Karius could once again face Real Madrid, a club that inevitably holds a significant place in his career.
The German goalkeeper was between the posts for Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final, when two of his mistakes proved decisive in Real Madrid’s 3-1 victory in Kyiv.
Eight years later, Karius could meet Madrid again, this time wearing a Schalke shirt.
The German side also have experienced players such as Robin Gosens and Edin Džeko, making this an interesting test for the Real Madrid defense.
Schalke 04 Lineup
Real Madrid Lineup
The friendly will provide another opportunity to measure the progress of Mourinho’s new Real Madrid, while it could also give some recently returned players their first minutes of preseason.
Schalke 04 are celebrating a special night at home.
Real Madrid continue preparing for a season in which expectations will once again be extremely high.
And Mourinho continues searching for the definitive version of his team before the matches that really count begin.
