Real Madrid face Fiorentina at the Worthersee Stadion in Klagenfurt on Saturday, in the first public match of the Jose Mourinho era. The Austrian fixture forms part of Madrid's shortened pre-season, with a trip to Ferencvaros and the Teresa Herrera Trophy against Deportivo La Coruna to follow. Both clubs are using cooler Austrian training camps to build fitness.
Madrid begin a new chapter under Mourinho after two trophyless seasons, though the timing means he will work with a heavily depleted squad. The bulk of his World Cup contingent has not yet returned, leaving a mix of early returnees, new signings and academy prospects. A 4-1 win over Leganes offered early encouragement.
Fiorentina, managed by Fabio Grosso, treat this as a benchmark test against elite opposition. The Tuscans are also based in Austria for their summer camp and will look to implement an aggressive, high-pressing approach. It is their first meeting with Madrid since visiting the Bernabeu in 2017.
Real Madrid vs Fiorentina: Key Stats
Real Madrid form guide: W-W-W-W-L, with four wins from their last five
Fiorentina form guide: W-L-W-W-D, with three wins from their last five
Real Madrid have scored 11 and conceded 5 in their last five matches
Fiorentina have scored 13 and conceded 5 in their last five matches
This is Mourinho's first public match as Real Madrid manager
Photo Credit (Getty Images)
What to Expect
Madrid will field a side missing almost all of their biggest names. Mbappe, Bellingham, Tchouameni, Konate and Cucurella are not due back until the second week of August, while Vinicius, Courtois, Brahim Diaz and Bernardo Silva return around August 5. That leaves Mourinho leaning on Guler, Valverde, Rudiger, Endrick, Dumfries and Camavinga, supplemented by youngsters.
Franco Mastantuono has stood out in early training and could feature prominently, while academy striker Gonzalo Garcia has impressed with his conditioning. This is a genuine opportunity for fringe and youth players to make an early impression on a demanding new manager. Mourinho will prioritise structure and fitness over fluency at this stage.
Fiorentina carry Serie A quality throughout and have been sharp in front of goal, scoring 13 in their last five. Moise Kean leads their attacking threat and is the player Madrid's makeshift defence must watch most closely. Grosso will want an organised, intense display to test his ideas against high-profile opposition.
Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid (4-3-3)
Lunin; Dumfries, Rudiger, Asencio, Fran Garcia; Camavinga, Valverde, Guler; Mastantuono, Endrick, Rodrygo
Fiorentina (4-2-3-1)
De Gea; Dodo, Pongracic, Ranieri, Gosens; Mandragora, Fagioli; Colpani, Gudmundsson, Sohm; Kean
Players to Watch
Franco Mastantuono - Has been among the standouts of Madrid's early pre-season and could see significant minutes. The young Argentine has a chance to press his case for a first-team role under Mourinho against strong opposition.
Endrick - Returns to lead the line following his World Cup involvement with Brazil. With Mbappe and Vinicius absent, the Brazilian has a clear opportunity to stake a claim for greater responsibility this season.
Moise Kean - Fiorentina's principal goal threat and their most dangerous forward. Against a Madrid back line missing its senior figures, his movement and finishing could prove decisive.
Federico Valverde - Among the most senior players available and brings energy and leadership to Madrid's midfield. His performance sets the tone for a young, unfamiliar side.
Prediction
Prediction: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.58
Madrid's much-changed side removes the predictability that usually accompanies their friendlies, and a team built around youngsters and returning players can be vulnerable defensively. Fiorentina carry a settled Serie A spine and a genuine finisher in Kean, which makes them competitive despite the occasion.
Both sides have been scoring freely, with Madrid netting 11 and Fiorentina 13 across their last five matches. Mourinho's early emphasis will be on fitness and shape rather than a polished result, and pre-season fixtures of this profile often open up. With both defences having conceded five in that span and Madrid missing their senior leaders, goals at both ends look likely.