Reading will face Malaga B and Extremadura UD next in their pre-season build up in Spain. The Royals will play both sides in friendlies on Tuesday with half the team playing Malaga B in the morning and the second half of the squad lining up against Extremadura. Malaga B and in the fourth tier of Spanish football with Extremadura, who Reading will play in the evening with a 18:30 kick-off, in the second tier.
The games follow Reading's 1-2 friendly defeat against Sevilla on Saturday evening. After no goals in the first half Novakovich put the Royals ahead before a penalty was scored by the home side with three quarters of the game played. Sevilla then went on to score a late winner.
Reading did well against a strong Sevilla side and again chose to play two different teams in each half, with the second half dedicated to younger members of the squad and those yet to make a real impression on the Reading starting eleven. The first half saw Walker in goal with Moore, McIntyre, Blackett and Howe in defence. Rinomhota, Swift, Olise, Barrow, Loader and Meite made up the rest of the team. The main talking point of the first half was assistant manager Jorge Mendonca getting sent off after protesting to the referee about the treatment of Danny Loader who was subject to some heavy challenges. In the second half Reading's team included Andresson, Watson, Osho, Richards, East, Holsgrove, Frost, Baldock, and Novakovich.
Novakovich was also on the score sheet last week in Reading's 10-0 friendly win over Gibraltar United.
Meanwhile, Reading fans are still waiting to hear if any further players will be added to the squad before the new season. We look set to rely on a much smaller squad with younger players needing to have an impact after the departure of several experienced players. As a result Reading remain one of the favourites for relegation next season, however if Gomes can carry the form through it might be worth betting against - try some lucky 31 tips.
Nelson Oliveira now seems unlikely to sign for Reading after his release by Norwich City. Oliveira had been a strong possibility signing after training with Reading throughout the summer. That followed a successful loan spell at the end of the last season. Instead it is being reported he is set to sign for Greek side AEK Athens.
Spanish Pre-Season Friendlies Continue
From the Discussion
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SU Sutekh 15 May 2019 · 9:52am
All off to Estepona in Spain for 2 weeks on 7th July https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2019/may/portuguese-preparations-set-to-start-in-spain/ Games will all be behind closed doors though Final pre-season game will be at the Mad Stad on 28th July.
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CO CountryRoyal 15 May 2019 · 10:12am
Ffs why the relatively sudden boner for playing pre seasons behind closed doors. Yawn.
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14 10539.4 Miles Away 15 May 2019 · 10:15am
Ffs why the relatively sudden boner for playing pre seasons behind closed doors. Yawn. Trialists playing? New formations / tactics being experimented with? Gives players the freedom in a semi competitive match to try to test themselves without the pressure of judgement being made by fans / on t'internet? The fact that the results really don't matter as long as they're not all loses (like our past 2 seasons) I agree that I'd love them to be open but understand theres many reasons they wouldn't be.
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HO Hound 15 May 2019 · 10:38am
was some mention of trying to stream them via social media, which would be nice
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HE Hendo 15 May 2019 · 10:41am
was some mention of trying to stream them via social media, which would be nice Can seem them doing this on Facebook/Instagram, if not the games, I think there will be a lot of content from the camp, which would still be nice to see.
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VM Victor Meldrew 15 May 2019 · 11:03am
2 weeks sounds like a hell of a long time to be away together-it will either lead to great bonding or massive fall-outs. :wink:
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14 10539.4 Miles Away 15 May 2019 · 11:05am
was some mention of trying to stream them via social media, which would be nice Lol. In which case ignore my post above. If they're streaming the lot then surely there's no good reason it's behind closed doors. Unless it's to keep stadium/policing costs down?
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MU muirinho 15 May 2019 · 11:12am
was some mention of trying to stream them via social media, which would be nice Lol. In which case ignore my post above. If they're streaming the lot then surely there's no good reason it's behind closed doors. Unless it's to keep stadium/policing costs down? Actually I'd say that's very likely - there's probably required staffing levels etc as soon as you let the public in. Be interesting to see what pre-season games are lined up for when they come back. so far just the one mentioned at the MS.