The new Real Madrid play for points at last
The preparations, presentations and opening statements are over. José Mourinho is back at Real Madrid, he has been handed a rebuilt squad and he must now select it for a match in which the result actually matters. Los Blancos begin their LaLiga season at the RCDE Stadium on Saturday night.
The meeting with Espanyol will be Real Madrid’s first competitive match of Mourinho’s second spell in charge. The Portuguese coach returns to the dugout 13 years after his previous tenure ended. That period produced a Spanish league title with a then-record 100 points, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.
This is not a sentimental reunion, however. Real Madrid made major changes to the squad during the summer and several new arrivals could immediately enter the starting lineup. Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konaté, Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Carlos Espí and Yan Diomande have all travelled to Barcelona.
Mourinho’s team selection remains the main question. Several players joined preseason late and may not yet be ready to complete an entire match. Jude Bellingham, Cucurella and Diomande are among those whose condition will be assessed. The coach still has enough depth to avoid beginning the campaign with a list of excuses.
AS predicts that Madrid could start with Thibaut Courtois; Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konaté, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella; Federico Valverde, Bernardo Silva; Yan Diomande, Arda Güler, Vinícius Júnior; and Kylian Mbappé.
Aurélien Tchouaméni and Endrick miss the trip because of muscular problems. Éder Militão, Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy also remain unavailable. Mourinho will not have a complete squad, although a group containing Mbappé, Vinícius, Bernardo Silva, Valverde and Bellingham hardly resembles an emergency selection.
Espanyol have already played their opening league fixture. Manolo González’s team defeated Levante 3–0 and will face Madrid with three points on the board and the benefit of competitive rhythm. The hosts have their own absentees, with Leandro Cabrera suspended and Javier Puado, Kike García and Edu Expósito also expected to miss out.
Real Madrid begin their campaign on matchday two because their opening fixture was postponed following the club’s involvement in the Club World Cup semifinals. The game against Espanyol starts a run of three league matches in eight days. Real Sociedad and Málaga will then visit the Santiago Bernabéu.
Mourinho has had the summer to study his players and begin introducing his rules. Now comes the part where training-ground observations must produce results. Madrid have added quality, experience and several new tactical options. The Portuguese coach’s first competitive lineup will reveal how he intends to combine them.
Mourinho’s first spell in the Spanish capital became associated with tension and confrontation on almost every front. He begins the second one in a calmer position, with greater authority and a squad designed to win immediately. The suit has been displayed. The personalised shirt has been presented. At 21:30 CEST, the real unveiling begins.
Espanyol against Real Madrid takes place on Saturday, 22 August, at 21:30 CEST at the RCDE Stadium. The match will be shown on CANAL+ Sport 6 and CANAL+ online in Poland, Orange TV and DAZN in Spain, and ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ in the United States.
