Unusual pre-season for the Rojiblancos
This summer marks a pre-season unlike any other for the Rojiblancos. With less time to prepare than most of their rivals, Rubi and his coaching staff are under pressure to get the squad up to speed both physically and tactically before the season kicks off in mid-August
Unlike last year, this summer has brought significant squad turnover. 5 new signings have come through the door, while several players have moved on. That means integration is as much a priority as physical conditioning. Each player arrives with a different fitness base, so the initial focus is on levelling the squad’s physical output to create a unified tempo as quickly as possible.
Despite the short turnaround—barely a month since the previous campaign ended—Rubi's staff have devised a detailed and cautious programme to ramp up intensity without risking injury. Even in modern football, where most players keep fit individually during their break, nothing replaces the rhythm of team training.
This week features the first of 3 double training sessions, a clear sign of the urgency to build match sharpness. The squad will then shift operations to Marbella on Tuesday, where a more intense training block awaits. The first pre-season friendlies are scheduled for 26-27 July, key opportunities to apply tactical ideas in real match conditions.
Beyond fitness, Rubi is placing great emphasis on embedding his tactical philosophy and creating synergy among the new-look squad. Compared to this stage last summer, the volume of transfer activity has been higher, making cohesion a central theme.
For the gaffer, chemistry off the pitch is just as important as understanding roles on it. Building a tight-knit group, establishing relationships and piecing together a functional unit will be essential if the Rojiblancos are to hit the ground running when the new campaign begins.