PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 25: Head coach Xabi Alonso of Real Madrid CF faces the media during a press Conference ahead of their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match against FC Salzburg at Lincoln Financial Field on June 25, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
After a win over Leganes in a closed-door friendly yesterday, Real Madrid are expected to be in action once again as they take on WSG Tirol in Austria on August 12.
This is expected to be Real Madrid’s only official pre-season friendly of the season before they kickstart the 2025/26 campaign later this month.
Heading into this game, there is much excitement over Thiago Pitarch, who made quite the impact in the friendly against Leganes.
Indeed, Pitarch was a standout performer in midfield against Leganes and even scored a goal to cap off a delightful performance that has left Xabi Alonso impressed.
Now, according to journalist Alvaro Esteban, there is consensus building that Xabi Alonso may call up Pitarch in the upcoming friendly against Tirol in Austria.
This will prove to be a great opportunity for the young midfielder, who is currently regarded as one of the most promising talents at La Fabrica right now.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 09: Xabi Alonso, Head Coach of Real Madrid C.F, looks dejected during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 semi-final match between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid CF at MetLife Stadium on July 09, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso will keep a close eye on Pitarch’s development (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Alvaro Arbeloa, in particular, has played a key role in Pitarch’s development thus far. It is now up to Alonso to identify that potential and make him an asset for the first team.
Since the appointment of the former Bayer Leverkusen manager, there has already been an added emphasis on youth players at Real Madrid.
The club notably extended the contract of Gonzalo Garcia yesterday, handing him the number 16 shirt for the season ahead.
While Pitarch is still too young to earn a professional contract, a promising performance against Tirol could go a long way in helping him earn promotion within the Real Madrid youth ranks.
This, in turn, could possibly pave the way for the youngster to be considered for the Real Madrid first-team in the near future.
MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 19: Dani Ceballos and David Alaba of Real Madrid interact during the LaLiga match between Real Madrid CF and UD Las Palmas at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 19, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 22: David Alaba of Real Madrid interacts with Dani Ceballos as he leaves the field whilst being substituted during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Real Madrid C.F. and FC Salzburg at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 22, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Alaba, Ceballos on Saudi Arabia’s radar. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)