Fiorentina's Starting XI
Real Madrid look to keep building under Mourinho
Real Madrid continue their preparations for the 2026/27 season with a highly anticipated fixture. José Mourinho's side will face Fiorentina at the Wörthersee Stadion in Klagenfurt, Austria, in a preseason friendly that will provide another opportunity to measure the progress of the club's new project.
One of Mourinho's main objectives during these opening weeks has been to build a competitive identity before several of his biggest stars return. While players such as Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and other internationals complete their post-World Cup break, the Portuguese manager has focused on keeping the squad competitive.
Fiorentina aim to prove they can compete with a European giant
On the other side will be a Fiorentina team beginning a new chapter under Fabio Grosso, who is eager to establish his style before the start of the Serie A season.
The Italian club has enjoyed a mixed preseason. After defeating Gubbio, they suffered a 3-2 defeat to Queens Park Rangers in London before bouncing back with a 1-0 victory over Watford, thanks to a goal from Roberto Piccoli.
Among Fiorentina's standout players are David De Gea, Moise Kean, Christ Inao Oulaï, and Arthur Atta, all of whom will look to test themselves against one of Europe's most demanding clubs.
The historic meeting that keeps the rivalry alive
Although Real Madrid and Fiorentina do not meet often, they share a memorable chapter in European football history.
The last time these two sides faced each other was in the 1956/57 European Cup Final at the Santiago Bernabéu, where the Spanish giants claimed a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Alfredo Di Stéfano and Paco Gento, securing one of the earliest milestones in their legendary continental success.
Decades later, the circumstances are very different, but the prestige of both clubs brings them together once again. For Real Madrid, it represents another opportunity to continue strengthening José Mourinho's footballing philosophy, while Fiorentina will look to prove they are ready to compete against one of world football's biggest clubs.
Fiorentina
A preseason friendly with plenty of storylines
The evolution of Mourinho's tactical system, the performances of the club's new signings, and the opportunity for several young players to continue earning valuable minutes make this match especially significant for the Real Madrid coaching staff.
For Fiorentina, the challenge will be to see how competitive Fabio Grosso's project can be against elite opposition. Facing Real Madrid has long been an excellent benchmark for identifying strengths while highlighting the areas that still require improvement.
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