Mourinho's Madrid Faces Espanyol in Early La Liga Clash
The new La Liga season barely has a rhythm, and already Real Madrid walk into a trap game.
Jose Mourinho’s second era at the club begins on Saturday evening at the RCDE Stadium, away to an Espanyol side that has already landed its first punch of the campaign with a 3-0 dismantling of Levante on the opening weekend. Confidence is high in Barcelona’s other club. Madrid, by contrast, arrive patched up and under scrutiny.
This is Mourinho’s first official match back in charge of the Royal Club. The symbolism is heavy: a demanding away ground, a rival in form, and a squad sheet full of absentees.
Espanyol flying, but missing key pieces
Espanyol’s mood is bright after that emphatic win over Levante. The scoreline gave them exactly what any coach wants in August: goals, clean sheet, and belief.
They are not at full strength, though. Cabrera is suspended, while Javi Puado and Kike Garcia are ruled out through injury. Those are important losses, especially against a side that punishes any lack of depth.
Even so, after starting with three goals and three points, Espanyol will not treat Madrid as untouchable visitors. Not with the champions-in-waiting label already being thrown around for the visitors.
Madrid’s injury list bites early
If Espanyol’s problems are manageable, Madrid’s are a headache.
Mendy, Asensio, Militao, Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch, Rodrygo and Endrick are all unavailable with physical issues, according to Spanish outlet Marca. That is a core of starters and impact players wiped out before Mourinho has even settled into his new office.
The response has been clear: look to Valdebebas. Mourinho has turned to the academy, promoting Mario Rivas, Cestero and Alexis Ceria to bolster the squad for the trip. It is an early signal that youth will have to support the superstars if Madrid are to navigate a long season.
A star-studded XI despite the absences
Even with that lengthy injury list, the likely starting XI underlines why Madrid still travel as heavyweights.
Marca report that Los Merengues are expected to line up with Courtois in goal; a back four of Arnold, Konate, Huijsen and Carreras; Valverde anchoring midfield alongside Bernardo Silva and Brahim Diaz; and an attacking trio of Arda Guler, Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe.
On paper, that is firepower few in Spain can match. Mbappe’s presence alone changes the tone of any game, while Vinicius and Guler bring unpredictability between the lines. Behind them, Valverde’s engine and Bernardo Silva’s control offer Mourinho a blend of intensity and craft.
The question is not whether Madrid have quality. It is whether this version, still bruised and incomplete, can impose itself away from home against a side already humming.
Title revenge vs early momentum
Madrid enter this campaign with a clear mission: reclaim La Liga after watching Barcelona lift the trophy in each of the last two seasons. That stings. It shapes everything.
Espanyol’s goal is different but no less sharp. They want to prove that their opening-day rout of Levante was not a one-off, and that they can bloody the nose of a title favourite right away. Take points off Madrid now, and the rest of the league will pay attention.
For Mourinho, it is a familiar stage: a hostile stadium, a wounded squad, high expectations. For Espanyol, it is a chance to turn an encouraging start into a statement.
The season is young, but nights like this often tell you how serious a title challenge really is.
