Klagenfurt: Real Madrid take on Fiorentina in Austria in an exciting preseason clash. Here's the latest team news, injury updates, predicted lineups, and how to watch the match live.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Real Madrid are taking their preseason preparations away from Spain and heading into central Europe for the next phase of their summer plans. Los Blancos are set to face Serie A outfit Fiorentina in Austria this Saturday. Under the guidance of Jos© Mourinho, Madrid have started their summer schedule strongly, casting aside Alcorc³n and Legan©s. Meanwhile, Fiorentina are looking to rebuild under new manager Fabio Grosso after a turbulent domestic campaign last year. With key signings looking to integrate and squad rotations underway following a busy World Cup, this friendly offers a crucial tactical test for both managers.
Real Madrid have named a 21-man squad for the trip to Austria, notably missing several stars recovering from deep World Cup runs, including new addition Marc Cucurella. The injury news remains a concern at the back, with ‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬°der Milito and Thibaut Courtois nursing fitness setbacks, while Raºl Asencio is injured and reportedly out of favor. Rodrygo remains sidelined and is not expected back until the end of the calendar year. However, new signing Denzel Dumfries joins the squad, and 21-year-old Carlos Esp, who netted 11 La Liga goals for Levante last season, looks set to lead the line.
Fiorentina arrives in Austria with a relatively healthy squad, looking to integrate defensive reinforcements lex Jim©nez and Radu Dragu?in into the starting XI. Croatian international Marin Pongrancic, who missed the English leg of the tour, is expected to join the team and could feature off the bench. In midfield, Nicol² Fagioli will pull the strings as he looks to rebuild his promising career following a developmental stall.
The matchup serves as a vital tactical laboratory for Jos© Mourinho and Fabio Grosso. With a significant portion of Real Madrid's senior squad resting after their international duties, Mourinho is leaning heavily on a blend of youth and hungry first-team regulars. The double-pivot partnership of Camavinga and Cestero will have to work hard to dictate the tempo of the game, especially against a technical Fiorentina midfield spearheaded by Nicol² Fagioli. Madrid's main threat will likely come from the half-spaces, where Arda Gler and Federico Valverde can exploit the gaps behind Fiorentina's defensive line, feeding the physical presence of young striker Carlos Esp.
For Fiorentina, Grosso is looking to establish defensive stability after conceding three goals against QPR. The central defensive partnership of Dragu?in and Ranieri will face a direct test against Madrid's fluid front four. The Italian side will look to utilize the pace of Moise Kean and Albert Gudmundsson on the counter-attack, attempting to isolate Madrid's full-backs, Alexander-Arnold and Carreras. How well Fiorentina's midfield transition functions under Madrid's high press will determine if they can control periods of possession or if they will be forced to defend deep in their own half for the majority of the match.