Real Madrid could hand competitive debuts to two of their newest signings when they face Schalke 04 in their final pre-season friendly on Sunday.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the likes of Marc Cucurella and Yan Diomande are both in contention to make their first appearances for Real Madrid in Gelsenkirchen.
Ibrahima Konate could also feature for the first time, while Kylian Mbappe is available for Jose Mourinho after missing the previous friendly.
The Schalke clash carries extreme importance as it will be Real Madrid’s final test before the start of their La Liga campaign.
Los Blancos are scheduled to begin their league season against Espanyol on August 22, making Sunday’s match Mourinho’s last opportunity to assess his players before competitive action begins.
For Diomande in particular, the friendly could mark an important step after his delayed introduction to the squad.
Cucurella and Diomande in line for first Real Madrid minutes
Cucurella and Diomande are among the players yet to make their Real Madrid debuts, like Mbappe, Bellingham, Koante and a few more, but that could change against Schalke.
Konate and Cucurella could make their Real Madrid debut against Schalke. (Picture credit: X/@realmadrid)
Hence, the German friendly comes at an important point in the club’s pre-season preparations.
With the Espanyol match just around the corner, Mourinho will be looking to finalise his plans and give his newer arrivals an opportunity to adapt to the team’s system.
The availability of Cucurella could be particularly useful as Mourinho continues to assess his options across the defensive line.
Meanwhile, Diomande’s potential appearance would give Real Madrid supporters their first opportunity to see one of the club’s most talked-about summer arrivals in action.
There are, however, still doubts over Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Bellingham only returned to training on Wednesday, leaving Mourinho with a decision over whether to include him in the travelling squad.
Yan Diomande has achieved match fitness to feature under Mourinho. (Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website)
Tchouameni, meanwhile, is recovering from a muscle strain. The Frenchman is expected to be available for the league opener, but Sunday’s match may come too soon.
Diomande could return after missing Deportivo friendly
Diomande’s possible involvement against Schalke comes after he was left out of the squad for Real Madrid’s previous friendly against Deportivo La Coruña.
His absence was reportedly linked to match fitness rather than any injury concern.
Although the Ivorian had already arrived at the club, he had only completed two training sessions with the group at that stage and was not considered ready to take part in the pre-season fixture.
That situation may now have changed.
With additional training sessions behind him, Diomande could be much closer to the required fitness level for Sunday’s game.