Real Madrid will clash with Leganes at 23:00 on July 28, 2026, in a pre-season friendly that signifies a new chapter for the club under the management of Jose Mourinho. Following a winless campaign in the 2025/26 season, Real Madrid parted ways with coaches Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa, prompting the return of Mourinho, who was lured back to the club for a fee of 15 million euros paid to Benfica to activate his release clause.

This decision is regarded as one of the most significant moves made by club president Florentino Perez in recent times. Mourinho's return is met with optimism from fans, as he aims to lead the team through a much-needed overhaul and restore its competitive edge. Known for his strong personality and extensive experience, Mourinho is expected to usher in a new era of success at the Santiago Bernabeu.

As Real Madrid prepares for this friendly, the team will be missing several stars who recently participated in the World Cup, including Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius, and Thibaut Courtois. However, Arda Guler is back in training, providing some boost to the squad.

Leganes, on the other hand, is gearing up for their fifth friendly match of the summer. They have struggled in their previous outings, managing only one win against Penafiel, while suffering defeats to Levante and drawing against Nacional and Albacete. Facing Real Madrid will be a significant challenge for Leganes, especially as they aim to secure a positive result against the royal club, which is still in the process of finding its optimal lineup.

Recent statistics suggest that both teams have been involved in matches where goals are scored late. In fact, five out of Real Madrid's last seven games featured at least one goal in the final 30 minutes. Similarly, Leganes has seen this trend in six of their last ten matches. Additionally, both teams have been effective in finding the back of the net, with Real Madrid scoring in nine of their last ten games and Leganes in six of their last ten.

As the match approaches, predictions lean towards a close contest, with many expecting Mourinho's side to secure a victory. The anticipated scoreline is 2-1 in favor of Real Madrid, although Leganes will undoubtedly be looking to upset the odds.