Real Madrid actually wanted to postpone their first La Liga match of the new season against Osasuna, citing the need for more rest after advancing to the later stages of the Club World Cup.
Madrid's request was supported by the Spanish Footballers' Association (as well as Osasuna themselves) but opposed by La Liga. Ultimately, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) held the final decision-making power, and the request was rejected by its sole competition judge.
The decision was unpopular within Real Madrid, with the club's official TV channel issuing an angry response to it this week.
However, the match against Osasuna will take place slightly later than previously expected. It is scheduled for Tuesday, August 19, rather than the weekend. Despite Madrid's request to delay the opening game, they always planned to resume training on August 4.
How are they preparing for the start of La Liga?
On Monday, Real Madrid players underwent medical checks in the morning and began team training in the afternoon. Since then, individual and group sessions in the gym have been combined with ball work on the training pitch, focusing on possession, shooting, dribbling, and small-sided games.
One of the biggest differences in Real Madrid's fitness training compared to last season is the greater emphasis on on-pitch work, rather than the individual strength work advocated by Antonio Pintus when he oversaw fitness training. The Italian still works at the club but his influence has diminished significantly.
After a series of injuries last season, the team's medical team has also undergone several adjustments.
Javier Arnáiz and Ismael Fernández, two newly appointed permanent fitness coaches hired by Real Madrid this summer, also favor new technologies, such as coordinating muscle training based on body temperature. New performance data analysis is being used to better assess the risk of future injuries.
Real Madrid currently plans to continue training at Valdebebas until next Tuesday, when they will travel to Innsbruck, Austria, to play a friendly match against Austrian side Tirol at 7pm local time.
Madrid does not intend to stay in Austria for a training camp. It would not be surprising if, as in recent years, they face local teams like Getafe or Leganés behind closed doors in other possible matches at Valdebebas – in fact, a club source mentioned the possibility of doing so this summer.
However, the match against Tirol is expected to be their only warm-up game before the first match of the new season.
Are they ready? Did the Club World Cup help or hinder them?
Real Madrid have mixed feelings about the Club World Cup.
A source from the coaching staff noted that conditions in the United States were not conducive to preparation for various reasons – including too little accumulated match time, weather described as "adverse" due to humidity and high temperatures, poor pitches, jet lag, and the tournament being held at the end of a full season.
But another source involved in day-to-day affairs at Valdebebas believes the Club World Cup was "very useful" as it helped achieve the main goal of "changing the team's energy" for the better compared to last season.
Alonso and his colleagues hope to implement an approach that sees players show higher intensity in training. Video analysis is more realistic and personalized, and other aspects such as punctuality are well attended to.
"We're happy, but now we have to start again," the source added.
Another point of debate between Alonso and his team is the need for signings, an idea that emerged before the Club World Cup and remains unchanged.
A source close to the coach stated that two more players need to be signed. They pointed out that domestic rivals Atlético Madrid and European challengers Liverpool have both strengthened their squads this summer.
However, club sources believe Alonso's squad is good enough, noting that 24 players are currently registered, and the 25th (the La Liga limit) will likely be academy player Gonzalo García.
