Mourinho's Final Pre‑Season Drill Puts Bellingham in Starting Spot
Real Madrid travel to the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen for their final pre‑season friendly on 16 August 2026, facing Schalke in what is the last tactical rehearsal before the new campaign. The match carries heightened importance for Jose Mourinho, who must confirm his midfield structure after a season where Real struggled to create chances and dominate possession. Both sides view the fixture as a decisive gauge of readiness ahead of competitive fixtures.
Midfield Roulette: Bellingham’s Fitness Clears Path for Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham has completed a strong physical assessment and is poised to start in the attacking midfield role, offering Mourinho a dynamic outlet. Bernardo Silva is expected to occupy a deeper midfield slot alongside Aurelien Tchouameni, while Trent Alexander‑Arnold remains a possible alternative. Kylian Mbappé, Yan Diomande and Thibaut Courtois are also slated to start, forming the core of the attacking trio and defensive line.
Jose Mourinho
coachMourinho’s 4‑3‑3 vs Schalke’s Counter‑Press: The Central Battle
Real Madrid will line up in a 4‑3‑3, with the midfield trio tasked with both pressuring Schalke high up the pitch and providing the creative spark that was lacking last season. Bellingham’s ability to drive forward and link with Mbappé should stretch Schalke’s compact defensive shape, while Silva and Tchouameni aim to retain possession and dictate tempo. Schalke’s home advantage may see them employ a disciplined, quick‑transition approach, testing Real’s defensive organization and the adaptability of Mourinho’s midfield selections.
Real Madrid’s midfield overhaul, anchored by the fitness‑cleared Bellingham, is likely to give them the edge in controlling the central zones, a factor that could translate into a narrow victory. The combination of a refreshed midfield and the attacking firepower of Mbappé suggests a 2‑1 win for Real Madrid as the final pre‑season test.
