With most first-team stars joining pre-season late, Real Madrid did not plan out an elaborate pre-season or preparatory tour ahead of the new campaign this time around.
After the games against Levante, Fiorentina, Ferencvaros and Deportivo de A Coruna, many big stars returned just before Real Madrid’s final pre-season game of the summer against Schalke.
Needless to say, that game was the most followed of them all and has also been widely discussed given how the manager had an almost fully available squad at his disposal. Even in an economic sense, the Schalke clash thus carried more importance.
A good payout
As reported by Ramon Alvarez de Mon in a recent update, Real Madrid earned a net of €1.5 million for playing the friendly against Schalke at the VELTINS-Arena.
Espi scored in Real Madrid’s 3-0 win. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
Additionally, the club had no costs of its own as the expenses, including travel, accompanying, and other miscellaneous charges, were all covered by the hosts.
In that sense, the complete €1.5 million Real Madrid earned as a payout for that game can be entered as a profit in what comes as a significant transaction. In many ways, that sum is equal to that of a mini-transfer.
Preparing for the season ahead
Jose Mourinho and his men’s focus will now shift to the beginning of the new season, especially with the curtain-raiser just under a week away.
All eyes on the league opener. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
There is still a lot to work on as Real Madrid enter the new campaign, especially in terms of keeping the players working for the team and away from controversy.
Yet, the overall takeaway from Mourinho’s pre-season this summer has been positive. The manager has managed to bring back the emphasis on fitness and cohesive work, and the new signings have all shown up without any adaptation lag.
Most importantly, the defence has shown conspicuous signs of improvement and the attack looks ruthless as ever, with only the midfield remaining a puzzle at this point.
To make that much sporting progress while also making financial gains is a net positive for Real Madrid’s management and administration, and they will now be focused on kicking off the season with a massive win.