[Pat Murphy]

Madrid Start Pre-Season With A Twist

Real Madrid's first team squad will travel to the Algarve, Portugal, on Monday in order to undertake a "Pre-pre-season" gathering...

The Bernabéu hierarchy are keen for the players to enter the new campaign in the best possible state, and to this end they will carry out a pre-season tour of Austria this year, as last.

But prior to their heading to central Europe, the squad will first of all spend a week in the Algarve for some prior preparation.

It is an unusual setup. The players are welcome (and indeed encouraged) to bring their families with them to the training base. This is in order to ease the transition back into the working season.

Whether or not such a gamble wil pay off remains to be seen, but the Madrid coaching staff seem confident that the familial atmosphere will motivate the players.

Training will be fitness-based but light in Portugal, with players encouraged to play tennis, try some basketball, or swim during their time off.

After one week in the Algarve the squad will bid farewell to their loved ones before flying out for Austria, where the real pre-season work begins

Steve Michaels, Goal.com