Real Madrid faced CD Leganés on August 8 in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Valdebebas, a low-key match that sparked curiosity among fans. This private training match, shrouded in secrecy until the last moment, wasn’t about fanfare or spectacle but about preparation, strategy, and fine-tuning for the 2025-26 La Liga season.
Why did this match happen?
Real Madrid’s 2025-26 preseason is unusually short, with just two weeks to prepare for their La Liga opener against Osasuna on August 19. The team’s participation in the FIFA Club World Cup earlier in the summer, coupled with a packed summer schedule, left little room for traditional preseason friendlies. Despite efforts to reschedule their opening match, La Liga president Javier Tebas denied the request, forcing Real Madrid to maximize every moment of preparation.
This behind-closed-doors friendly against Leganés was a strategic move to give Xabi Alonso’s squad valuable match practice without the pressure of a public event. Unlike their only official friendly against WSG Tirol in Austria on August 12, this private match allowed the team to experiment freely, away from the spotlight.
Why behind closed doors?
The choice to play behind closed doors wasn’t about secrecy for secrecy’s sake. It was a practical decision rooted in flexibility and focus. Public friendlies, while great for fans, come with media scrutiny and expectations. A private match lets the coaching staff test new tactics, give fringe players minutes, and assess squad fitness without external pressure. According to reports, the match was shortened to two 30-minute halves to minimize muscle fatigue, a nod to the intense schedule ahead.
For Real Madrid, this setup was ideal for integrating new signings like Álvaro Carreras, who made his debut in a Real Madrid jersey, and giving young talents like Thiago Pitarch a chance to shine. Pitarch, wearing the number 45, even scored, assisted by star man Kylian Mbappé. The secrecy also kept the focus on development rather than results, though Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory—thanks to goals from Dean Huijsen, Éder Militao, Brahim Díaz, and Pitarch—showed their attacking prowess.
