Madrid test their superstars against Schalke ahead of league bow

Real Madrid travel to Gelsenkirchen this afternoon (17.00 CET) to face Schalke 04 in what will be their final preseason friendly. According to Mundo Deportivo, this test comes with all of Mourinho's key players available for the first time: Courtois, Konaté, Cucurella, Bellingham, Mbappé and Diomande have been absent from previous friendlies.

Testing the attack

The Portuguese coach will use the match to see if his big names click together. Everything points to a 4-2-3-1 formation with Diomande, Bellingham, Vinicius and Mbappé forming Madrid's front line. Bellingham, who only started training this week, could see his first minutes, though starting from the bench is more likely. Mourinho warned after beating Teresa Herrera that next week "things will get serious".

Official debut in Barcelona

The real league opener comes on August 22 in the second fixture away at Espanyol in Barcelona (21.30 CET). Madrid play in round two rather than one because their World Cup players featured in the semis and final. Their first Bernabéu match is on August 26 against Real Sociedad.

Mourinho will be without Tchouaméni, Endrick (minor issues), and injured players Asencio, Militao, Mendy, Rodrygo and Thiago. The first two are expected back for Barcelona, while the injured need more time.