Real Madrid News
Real Madrid summer signing has ‘dominated’ the fitness tests in pre-season so far – report
Real Madrid’s summer signing Fran Garcia has reportedly left everyone in awe, with a report from COPE (h/t Madrid Xtra) claiming that the young left-back has ‘dominated’ the fitness tests in the early parts of the pre-season.
Garcia, 23, re-signed for Real Madrid this summer after the team from the capital city decided to trigger the buy-back clause for a fee of €5 million.
The young left-back first joined the team back in 2013 and after a loan tenure with Rayo Vallecano in the 2020-21 season, he made a permanent move on a four-year contract.
Given the difficulties Real Madrid have had in the left-back role, Garcia is understood to be Carlo Ancelotti’s first-choice defender for next season and his performances in training have only increased his chances.
Garcia is one of the four new signings who has been named in Real Madrid’s squad for the pre-season tour of the United States of America along with Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler, and Joselu.
With Ferland Mendy also included in the squad, Garcia will want to assert his authority early on in the friendlies.
Garcia will not have much competition next season if Mendy is sold this summer. As reported before, Madrid consider the Frenchman as the only first-team player who they would not hesitate to sell.
It is given that the 28-year-old has not really fulfilled the promise following his €48 million move from Lyon in 2019. It has been four years since his signing and Mendy still has not convinced the management that he can be the sole proprietor of the left-back area.
This comes in as a blessing in disguise for Garcia as if Mendy is sold, he will be Madrid’s only natural left-back, which could force the club to dip into the market for a backup. As of now, though, the new signing seems to be making a solid impression since returning to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid resolve their pitch problems as the Bernabeu surface returns to good condition
After years of problems with the pitch, Real Madrid now believe that those issues are now a thing of the past, reports MARCA.
For several seasons, the playing surface at the Santiago Bernabeu had become one of Real Madrid’s biggest headaches. Five pitch changes in a single season, paint used to disguise its poor appearance on television and criticism from all sides.
The club had been trying to solve the problem for some time and now, they believe they have finally found an answer.
The Bernabeu begins to put its turf problems behind it
The latest operation was accelerated following the NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the Commanders, forcing the club to replace the playing surface in just 72 hours to meet the deadline last season. This time, however, there was an important difference.
After establishing that the underlying structure was in good condition, Real Madrid decided to retain the existing turf panels and hybrid stitching system rather than remove everything and start again.
The new grass was installed over the existing base after being cultivated for several months. The variety selected was RyeBlue Deportivo, a high-performance mixture consisting of 50% perennial ryegrass and 50% Poa pratensis.
Real Madrid hoped the combination would provide a definitive solution. The club’s groundskeeping team has since refined the maintenance process, and the results are encouraging.
The Bernabeu is now in a condition that satisfies the club, and there are no plans to make further changes to the playing surface during the season.
It is the outcome Real Madrid have been pursuing for years, following a situation that eventually concerned the players themselves.
Major concerts remain the Bernabeu’s outstanding challenge
While the pitch problem appears to have been brought under control, the return of major concerts remains the Bernabeu’s biggest unresolved issue.
Real Madrid have spent months working to address the noise problems that forced them to suspend large-scale concerts.
The work has included soundproofing improvements and other measures designed to prevent noise from escaping the stadium. However, there is still no confirmed date for the return of major events.
Real Madrid believe the work carried out has brought the stadium closer to an optimal level of sound insulation.
Several areas have been reinforced to reduce noise escaping outside, with particular attention paid to entrances, enclosures and other points through which sound waves could travel.
The structural soundproofing work is understood to be nearing completion, with final architectural finishing work and official sound-emission tests still outstanding.
In the meantime, Real Madrid are exploring ways to make a return to large-scale events more feasible.
The aim is to make full use of the improvements already completed and establish a model that allows the club to revive an activity that was one of the major commercial attractions of the renovated stadium.
Until that becomes possible, Real Madrid continue to explore other ways of generating revenue from the Bernabeu. Corporate events, award ceremonies, conferences and private celebrations remain among the alternatives.
For Real Madrid, resolving the pitch issue is a significant step forward. Restoring large-scale entertainment to the Bernabeu remains the next major objective.
