Real Madrid continued their preseason with a behind-closed-doors training match against Leganés at Valdebebas. The visitors struck first through Sule, brother of Munir El Haddadi, but Xabi Alonso’s side eventually secured a 4-1 victory.

The friendly served as another opportunity for Xabi Alonso to fine-tune his starting lineup ahead of the August 19 clash against Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu. Few details emerged from the game, as it was played without television coverage.

Preseason matches are essential for players to regain competitive rhythm, which is why Alonso gave minutes to his entire squad. The starting eleven, however, featured mostly first-choice players: Courtois; Carvajal, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Ceballos, Brahim; Vinícius, Gonzalo, and Mbappé.

For Dani Carvajal, it was his first match as a starter and captain since recovering from a serious cruciate ligament injury sustained at the end of 2024. Alonso also repeated the attacking trio that played against PSG in the Club World Cup, with Mbappé wearing the number 10 shirt for the first time.

In midfield, Brahim took the place of Jude Bellingham, who continues his recovery work at the Valdebebas facilities. Ferland Mendy and Endrick, both still undergoing rehabilitation, were also unavailable.

The match began with a surprise, as Sule opened the scoring for Leganés within the first few minutes. Gradually, Real Madrid took control, finding the net through Brahim, Dean Huijsen, Éder Militão, and Thiago Pitarch to seal the win.

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