In what shapes up to be an exciting encounter, WSG Swarovski Tirol welcomes Spanish giants, Real Madrid, to gorgeous Tivoli Stadion Tirol for this pre-season friendly fixture. While this is "only" a friendly, this clash has all the makings of an entertaining and competitive match.

• For WSG Tirol this is an opportunity to see how they stack up to one of the most recognised clubs in football history. The team had an excellent start to the 2025/26 season of the Austrian Bundesliga by winning both of their matches and currently leads the table.

• For Real Madrid, this fixture is much more than a warm-up. This is their only pre-season fixture before starting their La Liga season against Osasuna. New head coach Xabi Alonso will want to sharpen his ideas and integrate his new signings, as well as give his key players much-needed minutes to get them up to speed.

The standout player has been Valentino Müller, the midfield dynamo, who has already scored five goals in three games. His ability to command the pace of play, move the ball forward, and finish makes him Tirol's offensive weapon.

The Austrian side has been proactive and attacking through the season, but against Real Madrid, they may need to adapt to a more compact counter-attacking way of playing. 

Xabi Alonso has made a few signings in the summer transfer window, including;

• Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB) – Liverpool

• Dean Huijsen (CB) – Juventus

• Álvaro Carreras (LB) – Manchester United

• Franco Mastantuono (AM) – River Plate (joining later in August)

With Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Federico Valverde all ready for an appearance, it’s obvious that Real Madrid possesses an amazing attacking lineup.

This will be the first-ever competitive and friendly match between WSG Tirol and Real Madrid.

Müller has been a pivotal part of a lively and creative midfield for Tirol, contributing goals and creativity in abundance. His late runs into the box can expose Madrid's defenders and can cause problems.

Valverde is one of the hardest workers, and on any given match he can have 3 different roles—box-to-box midfielder, winger, and/or deep-lying playmaker. Valverde's energy is essential to help Madrid gain some control in midfield.

Kylian Mbappé will make his debut as Real Madrid's new No. 7. Madrid and their fans will be looking for Mbappé to get his scoring account open early while bringing his pace and finishing against Tirol's defenders.

Even though Tirol has made a great start to the season, the gap in class between these two sides is enormous. The pace, creativity, and finishing will be too much for the Austrians to handle. I expect goals, excitement, and a dominant win for Los Blancos.

This is only a friendly, and there are no league points at stake, but for WSG Tirol it is a chance to create history and upset one of football's most celebrated clubs, whilst for Real Madrid it is about building confidence, finding new players, and tactical preparation prior to the start of the La Liga season.