Real Madrid Beat Schalke 04 in Pre-Season: The Main Takeaways

On Sunday afternoon, Real Madrid defeated newly promoted Bundesliga side Schalke 04 3-0 over in Gelsenkirchen, to round off their pre-season campaign in the perfect possible way, as attention now turns to their La Liga opener away to RCD Espanyol next weekend. 

So, what were the main take aways from the win to nil?

Arda Guler can have a big part to play this season 

There is an expectation that Guler will not play a lot this season, considering that Jude Bellingham has the number ten spot, and club record signing Yan Diomande will be expected to start the bulk of the game off the right hand side, given the financial outlay of the deal. 

However, he showed today that he can be someone who has a big impact on the season, particularly considering how many games are played now, with the expanded UEFA Champions League format. 

Brahim Diaz will struggle this year 

To a certain extent, this goes hand in hand with the previous point. With the new signing of Diomande, and Bellingham's prominence, as well as the promise showed by Guler, it is hard to see Diaz fitting in too often, even with a lot of games.

Unfortunately, he struggled to make an impact in the game against Schalke, and was subbed by Diomande just after the hour mark. A frustrating day at the office for the Moroccan international. 

Carlos Espi can make an impact this year 

This transfer window saw Levante striker and La Liga U23 Player of the Year, Espi replace Gonzalo Garcia as the squad option up front for Real Madrid. Considering that Garcia has gone to reunite with Alvaro Arbeloa at Fulham, it felt like every party involved benefitted from this. 

Well, if anything was to go by, Real Madrid will certainly be benefitting. At 6'4, Espi gives the team a serious outlet, something you just know Jose Mourinho will greatly appreciate it. He took his header against Schalke very, very well. 

With Trent Alexander-Arnold hopefully starting at right-back, he has someone capable of consistently giving him good service in the air. Furthermore, with Guler's crossing ability - as shown with Dean Huijsen's goal - that could be another reason for the young Turk to get more game time too, as well as Espi. A shoutout to Alvaro Carreras for his excellent cross to the 21-year old earlier too. Great stuff all round really.