Real Madrid begin their new La Liga campaign away to Espanyol on Saturday evening, with Jose Mourinho set to take charge of the club in a competitive match for the first time since returning as manager.
The match will be played at RCDE Stadium, where Real Madrid face an Espanyol side arriving with confidence after opening the season with a 3-0 victory over Levante.
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Real Madrid will travel with a significantly depleted squad. Mourinho is expected to rely on a number of established players, while also calling up three academy footballers to cover for the absentees.
Espanyol will be without Cabrera, who is continuing to serve a suspension. They are also missing Javi Puado and Kike Garcia because of injury.
Real Madrid’s list of unavailable players is longer. Ferland Mendy, Marco Asensio, Eder Militao, Aurelien Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch, Rodrygo and Endrick are all ruled out with physical problems.
The absences have led Mourinho to include three players from the club’s academy in his squad: Mario Rivas, Cestero and Alexis Seria.
Expected Real Madrid line-up
Marca predicts that Real Madrid will start with Thibaut Courtois in goal, behind a defence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras.
Federico Valverde and Bernardo Silva are expected to form the midfield, with Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler operating in advanced roles. Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe are projected to lead the attack.
The anticipated Real Madrid XI is:
Thibaut Courtois; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras; Federico Valverde, Bernardo Silva; Brahim Diaz, Arda Guler; Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe.
Mourinho’s return comes as Real Madrid attempt to reclaim the La Liga title after it was won by rivals Barcelona in each of the past two seasons.
The Portuguese manager’s first official match back in charge will therefore bring an immediate test against an Espanyol team that made an impressive start. Espanyol will hope their victory over Levante can provide the platform for a positive result against one of the leading contenders for the championship.
The match also gives Real Madrid an early opportunity to establish momentum under Mourinho, although the number of injuries means the manager begins his second spell with difficult selection decisions to make.
