Prediction for the Real Madrid vs Leganés match: Mourinho's first game after his return to Real - 28.07.2026
The summer off-season is always a time for first experiments, new combinations, and soaring expectations. Such is the promise of the friendly clash between Madrid’s Real and Leganés, set to take place on July 28 at the Valdebebas training ground.
- Also read: Club friendly match: Bournemouth vs Getafe, July 24
This encounter will be held behind closed doors, without spectators, and marks the first preseason test for Los Blancos this summer.
For Real Madrid, this is the launch of a new preseason campaign. The team is only beginning to find its rhythm after a packed summer, with many players just recently returning from holidays following the World Cup. So don’t expect to see the optimal lineup from the opening whistle. The coaching staff’s main task is to gradually bring the squad up to speed for the season opener, assess fitness levels, and get a closer look at the club’s young talents. It’s already known that Arda Güler is back in training and is in strong contention for game time against Leganés.
All eyes will also be on the newcomers. Preseason is the perfect moment to integrate them into the team’s system, build chemistry with their new teammates, and experiment with tactical setups. It’s in matches like these that the first glimpses emerge of what Real Madrid might look like in the new campaign.
Leganés approach this match in a very different situation. For them, it’s already their fifth friendly of the summer, so in terms of match sharpness, the visitors might actually have the edge. Rubén Albés’s side have already played several games, steadily working on a new playing model and building up form ahead of the league start. Most recently, Leganés picked up their first preseason win, defeating Portuguese side Penafiel, which should boost the team’s confidence.
Despite the friendly status, this match promises to be entertaining. Leganés will surely try to capitalize on the fact that Real are just beginning their preparations, while the Madrid giants will focus on possession, high intensity, and evaluating the depth of their squad. For Real’s youngsters, it’s a golden opportunity to prove themselves and show the coaching staff they deserve minutes beyond just preseason fixtures.
Of course, the result isn’t the top priority here. Far more important is seeing how the revamped Real Madrid takes shape, what ideas the team starts to implement from the outset, and who manages to make the biggest impression. Still, even in friendlies, the Madrid club rarely take the pitch without the will to win, so fans can expect lively and open football.
This encounter is just the first step in Real’s long preseason schedule, which will soon see them facing Fiorentina and other challengers. That means, on July 28, fans will get their first real glimpse of what the royal club might look like in the 2026/27 season.
My prediction: over 3 total goals.
