José Mourinho’s team drew against Fiorentina (2-2) after losing a two-goal lead, one of them by Endrick.
Mourinho’s Real Madrid made their ‘official’ debut in a friendly against Fiorentina. The absences, almost all due to the World Cup, meant that Mourinho’s starting lineup featured some new faces and a few surprises. In fact, we saw Dumfries starting on the right wing, coinciding with Alexander-Arnold’s inclusion , and Valverde in midfield as captain. Endrick, desperate for a good performance to confirm his future with Diomande’s arrival, was also present.
As expected, the match started slowly. Fiorentina were more match-fit than Real Madrid, having played three friendlies previously, and that could always work against Mourinho’s men in the long run. It’s true that, even without drawing any definitive conclusions, there were some hallmarks that the Madrid team seemed to want to display. The most obvious was their high press . Starting with Endrick, who initiated it, and followed by everyone else. Without exception. This is surely Mourinho’s plan for the season.
Endrick, first goal of the preseason
One of the players whose future is uncertain is Endrick, which is why the Brazilian seemed especially motivated and eager . He had his usual hunger for goals, but also that sharp edge that made him willing to dive to the ground to take the ball from any opponent in the penalty area.
As if that weren’t enough, he scored with his first real chance. After receiving a great ball from Carreras on the left, Endrick controlled it and, practically on the half-turn, unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that nestled into the top corner of David De Gea’s goal . A goal that only someone who lives, breathes, and dreams of scoring could score.
Ciria scored the second
Real Madrid gradually took control of the game as the minutes ticked by. In fact, Fiorentina barely knew what color Lunin’s shirt was. The best possible sign for Mourinho’s men. Moreover, if there was one thing the Whites were beginning to demonstrate, it was their clinical finishing in front of goal. And indeed, on their second real chance, they found the net again. A well-worked team move involving several players culminated in Ciria, slightly wide to the left, curling the ball into the net with the inside of his foot . A superb finish from the academy graduate.
Fiorentina goal
The only blemish on Real Madrid’s first half was Piccoli ‘s late goal . The striker broke free from the Real Madrid defense, created space behind Mario Rivas, and surprised Lunin with a shot to the near post.
Kean scores the Italian equalizer
The second half began with Fiorentina playing with more intensity and attacking intent. It was as if that goal before halftime had given them a boost of energy… and taken it away from Real Madrid. In fact, in the first three minutes after the restart, they created more chances than in the entire first half. As a result of this improvement, and with the introduction of some of the starters, the Florence side equalized through Kean . The striker got ahead of the Real Madrid defense and headed home to make it 2-2 with a touch that completely bypassed the outstretched arms of Lunin, who looked frustrated by how easily he had been beaten.
Carlos Espí’s debut
Mourinho had been so insistent on having a powerful number 9 in the squad that, just hours after Carlos Espí’s arrival was made official, the young striker was already making his debut in the white shirt. He came on in the 75th minute to play the final stretch of the match. Wearing the number 40 on his back, the 21-year-old fulfilled his first dream : to debut for Real Madrid. If luck is on his side, more will follow. In the end, the score remained unchanged. That 2-2 draw was considered a fair result by both teams, although Real Madrid seemed to have a bit more attacking intent in the final minutes. Mourinho’s debut ends in a draw, Endrick is hungry… more to come.
Technical specifications
Real Madrid : Lunin; Alexander Arnold, Joan Martínez, Mario Rivas, Carreras; Camavinga, Valverde (Lacosta 83′), Arda Güler; Dumfries (Yáñez 75′), Alexis Ciria (Cestero 62′) and Endrick (Espí 75′)
Fiorentina : De Gea; Jiménez, Dragusin, Vieri, Ranieri; Mandragora, Oulai; Ndour, Atta, Gudmundsson and Piccoli. Christenssen, Kean, Dos Santos, Fagioli also played
Goals : 1-0 Endrick, 2-0 Ciria (23′), 2-1 Piccoli (41′), 2-2 Kean (57′)
Stadium : Wörthersee Stadion in Klagenfurt.
