Schalke 04 and Real Madrid confirm starting XIs for pre-season friendly in Gelsenkirchen

Schalke 04 and Real Madrid announced their full starting lineups for a pre-season friendly at the VELTINS-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany on August 16, 2026, ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. The match sees Miron Muslić’s Schalke host an unbeaten Real Madrid side in what serves as one of both clubs’ summer tune-ups.

Schalke arrive after a 0-3 defeat by Atalanta BC in their most recent pre-season fixture, a result the report described as underwhelming. The game at the VELTINS-Arena is scheduled as a home assignment for Muslić’s side, who were advised to control possession early and capitalise on chances in the final third to avoid conceding multiple goals. Real Madrid entered the contest unbeaten in the current pre-season and brought a squad that included Kylian Mbappe, Marc Cucurella, Jude Bellingham, Thibaut Courtois, Ibrahima Konate and Yan Diomande.

Schalke’s starting XI named for the fixture was: Karius (GK); Kurucay, Timo Becker, Katic, Vitalie Becker; Schallenberg, Ljubicic; Adamu, El Faouzi, Aouchiche; Sylla. Their substitutes listed were: Muller, Ayhan, Bachmann, Dzeko, Gomis, Leonard, Porath, Tanaka, Vozar, Wober.

Real Madrid’s starting lineup was announced as: Courtois (GK); Trent, Konate, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Silva; Brahim, Guler, Vini Jr; Mbappe. The bench detailed for Los Blancos included: Lunin, Ilia, Bellingham, Camavinga, Cucurella, Espi, Rudiger, Dumfries, Diomande, Cestero, Rivas, Ciria.

The report noted that not all of Real’s named stars were in the starting XI and that those players were likely to be introduced as substitutes, most probably during the second half. It also stated that, with a stronger squad on paper, Jose Mourinho’s men would enter the match confident.

Commentary within the report advised Schalke to avoid any defensive lapses against Madrid, warning that mistakes could be punished by multiple goals. The article reiterated Real’s unbeaten status in this pre-season cycle and contrasted it with Schalke’s recent 0-3 friendly loss to Atalanta BC.

Real Madrid are due to face Espanyol on Saturday, August 22, according to the report, and the article added that Los Blancos had suffered a trophyless season the previous year due to underwhelming performances.