Real Madrid face WSG Tirol in crunch pre-season test nursing injury worries

With their La Liga opener against Osasuna just a week away, Xabi Alonso's squad are looking to sharpen their edge, but injuries have left the Spanish giants with a threadbare midfield.

The absence of key players is a major talking point. Eduardo Camavinga, sidelined with an ankle sprain from training on Sunday, and Federico Valverde, nursing a muscle strain, will miss the clash.

Jude Bellingham, recovering from shoulder surgery, remains at Valdebebas alongside Ferland Mendy and Endrick, both expected back by late August. "Camavinga and Valverde are big misses, but we're optimistic they'll be ready for Osasuna," a club insider said, as reported on X.

This leaves Alonso with just three senior midfielders: Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler, and Dani Ceballos. Tchouameni, versatile after playing centre-back at the FIFA Club World Cup, and Guler, who shone in midfield in the USA, are likely to start. Ceballos, whose future remains uncertain with Real Betis circling, could also feature.

Youngsters Thiago Pitarch, who scored in a 4-1 win over Leganes in a secretive Valdebebas friendly, and Roberto Martín complete the midfield options.

WSG Tirol, fresh off a strong start to their Austrian Bundesliga campaign with two wins and 11 goals, are no pushovers. Their recent 3-1 victory over LASK, led by midfielder Valentino Muller's four goals this season, shows their attacking threat. "Tirol are sharp and confident. This won't be a walkover," Alonso warned.

The hosts, managed by Philipp Semlic, are expected to field an unchanged lineup, with American Quincy Butler and Moritz Wels adding flair, though Lukas Sulzbacher is out with a knee injury.

Alonso's tactical tweaks, including a three-man defence trialled in the Club World Cup, will be under scrutiny. New signings Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold impressed in the States, while Alvaro Carreras could make his second appearance at left-back, vying with Fran Garcia and Mendy for a starting role.

"We're building something new, but it's a work in progress," Alonso said.

Looking ahead, Real Madrid are set to unveil 18-year-old River Plate starlet Franco Mastantuono on Thursday.