Before departing for Spain, Real Madrid made one last pit stop in Orlando to wrap up an exciting preseason. The matchup with Juventus…

Carlo Ancelotti again chose to start with the diamond, but there were some notable changes to the starting XI. Modric and Kroos started, Joselu was used as Vini Jr.’s striking partner, while Tchouameni received some rest due to the intense heat in Orlando. Moes Kean scored the game’s first goal against Real Madrid, and Timothy Weah scored twice before the first water break by taking advantage of a defensive lapse by Madrid in transition.

After the water break, Real Madrid awoke and began to generate a flurry of possibilities. Vinicius Jr. scored a goal with ease to end a terrific counterattack and get Madrid back in the game. Real Madrid only chose to increase the tempo and overwhelm Juventus with a variety of strong moves and shots. Jude Bellingham and Joselu were placed as target men as Madrid began to blast crosses into the box. The amazing saves Wojciech Szczsny made throughout this period allowed Juventus to lead 2-1 at the break.In the second half, Madrid continued to exert pressure, and Juventus made an effort to become more physically dominant. At the hour mark, Madrid substituted Militao, Alaba, Tchouameni, Rodrygo, Valverde, and Carvajal.

After entering the game, Valverde made a daring effort that quickly hit the bar. Jude, Vinicius, Kroos, and Fran Garcia all played a significant role in the various threatening sequences Real Madrid produced on the left wing. However, Los Blancos were lacking the decisive advantage to tie the match. In the 77th minute, Brahim was substituted in for Vinicius Jr. In the final game of the preseason, Ancelotti also made the decision to give Odriozola some playing time. In the last minute of extra time, Dusan Vlahovic scored to give Juve a 3-1 victory.

Final thoughts from the preseasons: In addition to impressing, Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurelian Tchouameni have demonstrated why they are qualified to be unquestionable starts. Vinicius Jr. faces a challenge in learning a new position, but if anyone on this roster can do it, it’s him. He led Madrid in scoring throughout preseason. Joselu scored a fantastic goal against United, but he has subsequently played very poorly. Perhaps a foreshadowing of Brahim’s potential role this season is his absence from the last two games. Fran Garcia’s increased involvement in the attack as a left-back has been encouraging, but the right-backs’ performance continues to raise questions.