Real Madrid build, Barcelona react. The last month at both clubs

REAL MADRID: appointed José Mourinho, broke their transfer record to sign Yan Diomande, rebuilt the defence and generated a record €189 million through academy sales. They also completed an unbeaten preseason with a convincing 3–0 victory over Schalke 04.

BARCELONA: signed Karim Adeyemi, sold Ferran Torres, lost Frenkie de Jong to injury and suddenly discovered that Rodri was absolutely essential. After three bids, they agreed to pay Manchester City €60 million plus another €15 million in add-ons. The midfielder has signed his contract, although his debut will have to wait following back surgery.

Barcelona won the biggest transfer headline. Real Madrid won the sales battle, enjoyed the smoother preseason and operated with considerably less noise.

Madrid rebuilt their squad according to a plan. Barcelona’s plan changed after an injury, triggering a transfer charge that somehow ended with a Ballon d’Or winner arriving at the club. Sometimes chaos finds the top corner too.

THE LAST-MONTH VERDICT:

Real Madrid — more structure, more money from sales and greater continuity in their work.

Barcelona — the bigger individual signing and, as usual, more plot twists than their rivals produced during the entire preseason.