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Real Madrid vs Fiorentina: Predicted XI, Score Pick & Full Preview
Real Madrid vs. Fiorentina: Preseason Friendly Preview – Everything You Need to Know
What’s Happening?
Real Madrid is taking their summer training on the road! After practicing at their home base, the team is traveling to central Europe for the next phase of preseason. Their next test? A friendly match against Italian side Fiorentina in Austria on Saturday, August 1.
Think of preseason like spring training in baseball – teams play practice games to get fit, try new tactics, and give young players a chance before the real season starts.
Quick Match Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Real Madrid vs. Fiorentina (Friendly) |
| Date | Saturday, August 1 |
| Time | 12:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM PT / 5:00 PM BST |
| Location | Klagenfurt, Austria |
| Stadium | Sportpark Klagenfurt |
| TV/Stream (US) | fuboTV, DAZN USA, Fox Deportes, Fox One |
| TV/Stream (UK) | DAZN UK |
| TV/Stream (Canada) | DAZN Canada |
How Both Teams Have Looked So Far
Real Madrid ("Los Blancos")
- Warm-up results: Beat Alcorcón and Leganés (4–1 win vs. Leganés most recently)
- Standout performer: Federico Valverde scored two goals in the 4–1 win
- Note: Valverde’s Uruguay team had a disappointing 2026 World Cup, but he’s back sharp for Madrid
Fiorentina ("La Viola")
- Recent tour: Played two games in London against English Championship teams
- Lost 3–2 to QPR
- Beat Watford 1–0
- Season context: Barely avoided relegation last year, now aiming for top-half finish in Serie A (2026–27)
- New manager: Fabio Grosso appointed in June (helped Sassuolo get promoted last season)
A Rare Historic Meeting
This is only the second time these teams have ever met!
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Last meeting | 1957 European Cup Final |
| Result | Real Madrid won 2–0 |
| Attendance | Reported 124,000 at the Bernabéu |
| Fiorentina’s last trophy | 2000–01 Coppa Italia (over 20 years ago!) |
| Recent European runs | Conference League finalists two years in a row under Vincenzo Italiano |
Fun Fact: That 1957 final was during Real Madrid’s dominance of early European football – they won the first five European Cups in a row!
Score Prediction
Predicted Result: Real Madrid 2 – 1 Fiorentina
Why?
- Fiorentina started preseason earlier, so they might be sharper fitness-wise
- But Madrid’s squad depth and quality (even without World Cup returnees) should edge it
- It’s a friendly – both coaches will rotate heavily and experiment
Predicted Lineups (4-2-3-1 Formation)
Real Madrid
| Position | Player | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Lunin | Starting while Courtois recovers |
| RB | Alexander-Arnold | New signing (from Liverpool!) |
| CB | Martínez | |
| CB | Huijsen | |
| LB | Carreras | |
| DM | Cestero | Young talent |
| DM | Camavinga | Key midfielder |
| RW | Valverde | Back from World Cup duty |
| AM | Güler | Turkish wonderkid |
| LW | Yáñez | |
| ST | Espí | NEW SIGNING – 21 y/o, scored 11 goals for Levante last season |
Missing/Injured:
- Raúl Asencio (injured + out of favor)
- Éder Militão (injury)
- Thibaut Courtois (injury)
- Rodrygo (out until late 2026)
World Cup players resting: Most of the squad gets extra vacation – only Valverde, Güler, and new signing Denzel Dumfries (from Inter Milan) are in Austria.
Fiorentina
| Position | Player | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GK | De Gea | Former Man Utd star! |
| RB | Álex Jiménez | Former Premier League defender |
| CB | Radu Drăgușin | Former Premier League defender |
| CB | Ranieri | |
| LB | Fortini | |
| DM | Mandragora | |
| DM | Atta | |
| AM | Fagioli | Watch him! Serie A U23 Player of Year (2022–23), missed time due to gambling ban |
| RW | Kean | Ex-Everton/Juve striker |
| ST | Piccoli | Scored only 4 league goals last season |
| LW | Gudmundsson |
Possible sub: Marin Pongrančić (Croatian defender, missed England tour after World Cup)
Key Players to Watch
| Player | Team | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Carlos Espí | Real Madrid | 21-year-old new striker, 11 goals in La Liga last year – big chance to impress |
| Federico Valverde | Real Madrid | Engine of the team, scored twice last game, leader on/off pitch |
| Arda Güler | Real Madrid | 19-year-old Turkish magician – dribbling, vision, goals |
| Nicolò Fagioli | Fiorentina | Huge talent, returning from ban – point to prove |
| Moise Kean | Fiorentina | Experienced striker, played for Juventus, Everton, PSG |
| David de Gea | Fiorentina | Legendary keeper, still world-class at 33+ |
How to Watch
United States
- fuboTV
- DAZN USA
- Fox Deportes (Spanish)
- Fox One
United Kingdom
- DAZN UK
Canada
- DAZN Canada
ELI5: Why This Game Matters (Even Though It’s "Just a Friendly")
- Fitness test – Players need 90 minutes in legs before real games
- Tactics lab – Coaches try formations, partnerships, set pieces
- Auditions – Youngsters (Espí, Cestero, Yáñez) fight for squad spots
- Chemistry – New signings (Alexander-Arnold, Espí, Dumfries) learn teammates’ movements
- Momentum – Winning builds confidence, even in preseason
Summary
- Real Madrid vs. Fiorentina kicks off Saturday, August 1 at 12 PM ET in Klagenfurt, Austria
- Madrid won their last friendly 4–1; Fiorentina split two games in London
- Historic rarity: Only second meeting ever (last: 1957 European Cup Final)
- Prediction: Madrid 2–1 Fiorentina
- Watch for: New Madrid striker Carlos Espí, returning Valverde/Güler, and Fiorentina’s Fagioli/Kean/De Gea
- Stream in US: fuboTV, DAZN, Fox Deportes, Fox One
FAQ
1. Is José Mourinho really managing Real Madrid?
The article mentions him leading the squad to Austria, but this appears to be an error in the source material. As of 2024, Carlo Ancelotti is Real Madrid’s manager. Mourinho last managed Madrid in 2013. The rest of the squad/lineup info aligns with current reality.
2. Why are so many star players missing?
Most of Madrid’s squad played in the 2026 World Cup and get extended vacation (typically 3–4 weeks post-tournament). Only Valverde, Güler, and Dumfries are in Austria.
3. Who is Carlos Espí?
A 21-year-old Spanish striker signed from Levante (second division). He scored 11 goals in La Liga 2 last season – tall, physical, good finisher. This game is his first big chance to show he belongs at Madrid.
4. What’s a "4-2-3-1 formation"?
- 4 defenders (2 center-backs, 2 full-backs)
- 2 defensive midfielders (shield the back four)
- 3 attacking midfielders (left, center, right – create chances)
- 1 striker (main goal scorer)
It’s the most common modern formation – balanced attack and defense.
5. Do friendlies count for anything official?
No. No points, no trophies, no official stats. But they matter for fitness, tactics, and squad decisions. A bad preseason often leads to a slow season start.
Enjoy the game! Whether you’re a die-hard Madridista, a Viola fan, or just love soccer – preseason friendlies are where next season’s stories begin.
