Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Hungarian champions Ferencváros in their second preseason match at Budapest’s Groupama Aréna, offering plenty of intriguing tactical indicators ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. Controlled in midfield by an inspired Arda Güler, Los Blancos built momentum through their young talents, as academy defender Mario Rivas headed home the opener before substitute forward Carlos Espí doubled the lead following a slick team move early in the second half. The match also
saw high-profile debuts and minutes for returning stars, most notably summer signing Bernardo Silva playing his first minutes, before Kenan Kodro pulled one back for a sharper, more match-fit Ferencváros side. Here are the key takeaways from an encouraging, if at times uneven, night in the Hungarian capital.
1 – Bernardo Silva is the alternative in midfield… or Trent
The highlight of the second half was arguably seeing Bernardo Silva in a Real Madrid jersey for the first time, albeit in a condition which Jose Mourinho labelled “way below” where it should be. He played in a central role, drifting more towards the right, producing six passes into the final third with his vision and technique clear, but also doing well defensively by winning four duels. The other intriguing feature in midfield was the deployment of Trent Alexander-Arnold in a holding midfield role. A Rodri alternative? It’s a position he has played before at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp.
2 – High-energy is required in Mourinho’s attack
We’ve seen this in every pre-season game now. Gonzalo García did it before joining Fulham and Endrick has now taken the job of harrier in chief. Early on he won possession on the counter by pressing with great intensity, then he followed it up by stretching his toe furthest to get a shot off on 10 minutes. In the second half, the Brazilian moved to the right with Carlos Espí through the middle and he pressed high and made several runs, getting his reward as he scored only five minutes in with a deft finish into the bottom corner. Kylian Mbappé will be the starter but the trio of alternatives have auditioned and shown that they can offer a work rate which the superstar is unlikely to match.
3 – Marc Cucurella will walk into the side
If Álvaro Carreras could have picked the circumstances for him to stake his claim this summer, it probably would have involved him being the only first-team left-back available for most of pre-season. That’s been the case, but he has struggled. Here, a sloppy throw in conceded possession in his own defensive third as early as six minutes in. Ferencváros’ goal from former Athletic Club forward Kenan Kodro came down Carreras’ flank as he didn’t close down winger Kristoffer Zachariassen and spun to try to block the cross which found Kodro to tap past Andriy Lunin. Competition, and a dose of Cucurella’s intensity and fight, will bring significant changes to how Real Madrid defend down the left.
4 – The luxury of an Arda Güler “problem”
The star of Real Madrid’s pre-season has undoubtedly been Arda Güler. The Turkish international played the full 90 minutes here and recorded more touches (91), shots (4) and chances created (4) than any other player on the field. His vision and distribution in the number 10 role was unrivalled. The challenge comes in how you fit in both Güler and Jude Bellingham upon his return to action next week, or how you justify leaving one out. Fielding both is a whole other tactical puzzle.
5 – Alexis Ciria could be one to watch
It had been expected that Vinícius Júnior might start this match after rejoining training this week, but in his place was 18-year-old Alexis Ciria. He claimed an assist with a pinpoint cross for the opening goal from defender Mario Rivas, but he also caught the eye with his trickery, confidence and even a Rabona cross. Ciria made 11 appearances for Castilla last season and would expect that number to increase this season, but with moments like that, he could even make the fringes of the first team if needed.
6 – Is it time to reconsider pre-season planning?
The turf at the Groupama Aréna was in far from ideal condition as 21,000 fans watched on in the humidity of Budapest. At one point, Jose Mourinho took to the field to start replacing lumps of turf in front of the dugout. Playing in these settings has a value for Real Madrid, but could it have been a better move to revive the Trofeo Santiago Bernabéu? Once popular with families, offering cheap tickets and a chance to see the squad options, it hasn’t been played since 2018, yet does not appear on the agenda to prioritise fans in the Spanish capital anytime soon.
