
WSG Tirol vs Real Madrid Lineups – Confirmed XIs, Goals and Injuries
Real Madrid concluded their brief preseason preparations with a convincing 4-0 victory over Austrian Bundesliga side WSG Tirol on August 12, 2025, at the Tivoli Stadion Tirol in Innsbruck. The fixture marked the club’s sole friendly match ahead of the 2025/26 La Liga campaign, coming after a congested schedule that included the Club World Cup.
Manager Xabi Alonso utilized the encounter to assess his squad’s readiness, deploying a strong starting eleven that featured summer signing Trent Alexander-Arnold alongside established stars Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. The match provided valuable minutes for key personnel while highlighting the ongoing injury concerns affecting the defending European champions.
For WSG Tirol, the meeting represented a significant test of their preseason progress under coach Philipp Semlic, despite facing overwhelming opposition. The Austrian outfit fielded a competitive side but ultimately succumbed to the quality of their illustrious visitors.
Predicted Lineups for WSG Tirol vs Real Madrid
August 12, 2025
Tivoli Stadion Tirol, Innsbruck
Preseason Friendly
Real Madrid 4-0 WSG Tirol
- Real Madrid deployed a 4-3-3 formation with Thibaut Courtois between the posts, featuring Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back in his first preseason appearance.
- Kylian Mbappé delivered a brace, opening his account in the 13th minute before adding a second in the 59th minute.
- The fixture served as Real Madrid’s only preseason test due to their participation in the Club World Cup, leaving minimal preparation time before the La Liga opener against Osasuna on August 19.
- WSG Tirol utilized a flexible tactical setup likely structured as a 3-4-2-1 or similar variation, with captain Müller anchoring the midfield.
- Éder Militão headed home the opener after just ten minutes, establishing early dominance for the Spanish side.
- Rodrygo contributed the fourth goal in the 81st minute after entering the match as a substitute.
- New manager Xabi Alonso named a 23-man traveling squad that excluded several injured first-team regulars including Jude Bellingham and Ferland Mendy.
| Team | Manager | Formation | Captain | Result | Key Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | Xabi Alonso | 4-3-3 | Not specified | 4-0 Win | Kylian Mbappé (2) |
| WSG Tirol | Philipp Semlic | 3-4-2-1 (likely) | Müller | 0-4 Loss | N/A |
Real Madrid Expected Starting XI and Key Players
The confirmed lineup showcased Alonso’s tactical intentions for the upcoming season, blending defensive solidity with attacking flair. Thibaut Courtois started in goal, protected by a back four comprising Trent Alexander-Arnold, Éder Militão, Dean Huijsen, and Álvaro Carreras.
Midfield Composition
The midfield trio featured Aurélien Tchouameni as the deepest pivot, supported by Dani Ceballos and Arda Güler in advanced positions. This configuration allowed for fluid transitions between defense and attack, with Güler operating in a slightly more advanced role than his counterparts.
Attacking Trident
The front three consisted of Brahim Díaz on the right flank, Kylian Mbappé through the center, and Vinícius Júnior occupying the left wing. This arrangement proved devastating, with Mbappé’s movement between the lines creating constant problems for the Austrian defense.
The matchday squad included 23 players, with goalkeepers Fran González and Andriy Lunin providing backup options. Defensive alternatives featured Antonio Rüdiger, Raúl Asencio, and Diego Aguado, while the attacking bench offered Rodrygo and Gonzalo García.
WSG Tirol Predicted Team and Formation
WSG Tirol fielded a competitive side despite the gulf in quality between the Austrian Bundesliga and European elite. Goalkeeper Stejskal started behind a defensive unit that included Boras, Lawrence, and Schweighofer. WSG Tirol vs Real Madrid lineups, starting 11, team news & injuries
Tactical Flexibility
Coach Philipp Semlic appears to have deployed a system utilizing wing-backs or wide midfielders, with Huetz and Vötter providing width. Captain Müller operated centrally alongside Bockle, while Wels and Hinterseer carried the attacking threat.
Rotation Strategy
The home side made multiple changes during the interval and early second half, withdrawing Boras and Lawrence at halftime before substituting Schweighofer three minutes after the restart. Hinterseer departed in the 37th minute, suggesting a pre-planned minutes management strategy against superior opposition.
Injuries and Team News Updates
Both squads entered the fixture with significant absentees, though Real Madrid’s injury list drew particular attention given the proximity of the La Liga season opener.
Real Madrid Absences
The Spanish giants traveled without Ferland Mendy (muscle strain), David Alaba (knee), Endrick (hamstring), Eduardo Camavinga (ankle), and Jude Bellingham (shoulder). Additionally, forward Kendrick remained unavailable through unspecified injury. Federico Valverde was notably absent from the traveling party, though not specifically listed among the injured.
David Alaba was included in the 23-man squad but did not feature in the starting eleven, suggesting he remains in the final stages of recovery from his long-term knee issue. The Austrian defender’s availability for the August 19 league opener remains uncertain.
WSG Tirol Casualties
The Austrian side managed longer-term injury concerns of their own, with defender Lukas Sulzbacher absent due to an ACL injury and David Falkner missing through a meniscus problem. No suspensions affected either squad’s selection options.
WSG Tirol entered the fixture on the back of a 3-1 Austrian Bundesliga victory, with Captainino Müller and Thomas Sabitzer finding the net. This positive domestic result influenced Semlic’s selection approach against the European champions.
Match Day Timeline and Key Events
- – Real Madrid announces 23-man traveling squad including Alaba but excluding Valverde and several injured first-teamers. Source
- – Predicted lineups circulated suggesting 4-3-3 for Real Madrid and 3-4-2-1 for WSG Tirol. Some fan sources suggested alternative formations including a 4-2-3-1. Fan Analysis
- – Official team sheets confirm starting elevens, with Trent Alexander-Arnold making his first start. Confirmed Lineups
- – Éder Militão opens the scoring with a header, giving Real Madrid an early advantage.
- – Kylian Mbappé doubles the lead, finishing clinically after build-up play involving Vinícius Júnior.
- – WSG Tirol withdraw Hinterseer, initiating their rotation strategy.
- – WSG Tirol substitutes Boras and Lawrence; score remains 2-0 to Real Madrid.
- – Schweighofer exits for WSG Tirol as the home side continues personnel changes.
- – Mbappé completes his brace, extending the lead to 3-0.
- – Substitute Rodrygo scores the fourth goal, sealing the comprehensive victory. Match Details
Confirmed Details and Remaining Questions
| Established Information | Uncertain Elements |
|---|---|
| Real Madrid’s exact starting eleven and 4-3-3 formation | WSG Tirol’s precise tactical formation (reported as 3-4-2-1 or similar but unconfirmed) |
| Final scoreline of 4-0 with specific goalscorers and timings | Complete substitution details for all WSG Tirol changes beyond those documented |
| Specific injury diagnoses for Real Madrid’s absentees | Exact recovery timelines for Alaba and Mendy ahead of competitive fixtures |
| 23-man squad composition including traveling reserves | Specific reasons for Valverde’s absence from the traveling party |
| Attendance and venue specifications | Whether this fixture will become an annual preseason tradition |
Strategic Context of the Fixture
The meeting with WSG Tirol served a specific purpose within Real Madrid’s disrupted preseason calendar. Following their participation in the Club World Cup, the Spanish champions faced a compressed preparation window, making this their solitary opportunity to test tactical systems before competitive action resumed. Fixture Background
For WSG Tirol, hosting the fourteen-time European champions represented both a financial opportunity and a developmental benchmark. The Austrian side, competing in their domestic Bundesliga, utilized the fixture to test themselves against elite opposition while managing squad fitness ahead of their own league commitments.
The selection of Innsbruck’s Tivoli Stadion provided an intimate setting away from the global spotlight, allowing Alonso to experiment without excessive pressure while giving his senior players essential match rhythm. For a comprehensive look at the match, check out the full report and analysis at WSG Tirol vs Real Madrid.
Official Sources and Match Documentation
The lineups and match details were verified through official club communications and established sports broadcasters. Real Madrid’s digital platforms provided the definitive starting eleven confirmation approximately one hour before kickoff.
Courtois; Trent, Militão, Huijsen, Á. Carreras; Tchouameni, Arda Güler, D. Ceballos; Brahim, Mbappé, Vini Jr.
— Real Madrid Official Website, Confirmed Starting XI
Broadcast partner Sky Sports documented the match progression and substitution patterns, confirming the 4-0 final score and goal distribution across the ninety minutes.
This match served as Real Madrid’s sole preseason test before the 2025/26 season amid a disrupted schedule.
— Madrid Universal, Pre-Match Context
Key Takeaways from the Lineups
Real Madrid’s 4-0 victory over WSG Tirol provided Xabi Alonso with valuable insights ahead of the La Liga opener, confirming the fitness of key stars while highlighting the attacking potency of the Mbappé-Vinícius partnership. The 4-3-3 formation featuring Trent Alexander-Arnold suggests the tactical direction for the upcoming campaign, though significant injury concerns remain regarding Bellingham, Mendy, and Alaba. For further analysis of the predicted formations ahead of the match, see Real Madrid predicted lineup vs WSG Tirol.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between WSG Tirol and Real Madrid?
Real Madrid defeated WSG Tirol 4-0, with goals from Éder Militão, Kylian Mbappé (2), and Rodrygo.
Which formation did Real Madrid use against WSG Tirol?
Real Madrid deployed a 4-3-3 formation featuring Courtois in goal; Trent, Militão, Huijsen, and Carreras in defense; Tchouameni, Güler, and Ceballos in midfield; and Brahim, Mbappé, and Vinícius in attack.
Why was this Real Madrid’s only preseason friendly?
The fixture served as Real Madrid’s sole preseason test due to their participation in the Club World Cup, which compressed their preparation schedule before the La Liga opener against Osasuna on August 19.
Which Real Madrid players were injured for the match?
Absentees included Ferland Mendy (muscle strain), David Alaba (knee), Endrick (hamstring), Eduardo Camavinga (ankle), Jude Bellingham (shoulder), and Kendrick (unspecified).
Who started in goal for WSG Tirol?
Stejskal started in goal for WSG Tirol, playing behind a defensive line that included Boras, Lawrence, and Schweighofer before halftime substitutions.
Where did the match take place?
The friendly was held at Tivoli Stadion Tirol in Innsbruck, Austria, on August 12, 2025.
Did Trent Alexander-Arnold play for Real Madrid?
Yes, Trent Alexander-Arnold started at right-back as part of a back four, marking his appearance in the club’s preseason preparations.