Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Espanyol: La Liga

Real Madrid’s quest to usurp Barcelona and regain the La Liga title begins in rival territory, as they face Espanyol in Catalonia on Saturday evening.

José Mourinho is back for a second bite of the cherry, having brought a period of Barça dominance to an end in 2012. “The Special One” isn’t the manager he once was, yet Florentino Pérez believes the Portuguese, without a league title in 11 years, is the right man to return Los Blancos to the promised land.

Mourinho certainly has the stars at his disposal, but ensuring they coalesce for the sake of a harmonious collective will perhaps be his biggest challenge. Still, supporters are excited about the business they’ve conducted this summer and what the club could achieve in 2026–27 after two trophyless seasons.

Here’s who Mourinho could pick for Real Madrid’s La Liga opener.

Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Espanyol

Real Madrid lineup — Not all of Madrid’s stars are match fit. | FotMob

GK: Thibaut Courtois—The Belgian international has shaken off an injury sustained at the World Cup and is ready to start between the posts for Madrid on Saturday.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold—Despite a tame debut season, expectations are rising for Alexander-Arnold ahead of his sophomore year. While Denzel Dumfries’s arrival means there’s competition, the Englishman no longer has a Dani Carvajal-shaped cloud looming over him.

CB: Antonio Rüdiger—The German is one of a kind, but there were signs of decline last season, and he’s unlikely to play a prominent role for Madrid when other options are healthy. Free agent arrival Ibrahima Konaté is expected to be the long-term starter, but he didn’t play much in preseason.

CB: Dean Huijsen—Watching Spain lift the World Cup must’ve crushed the young defender, who looked set to be named on Luis de la Fuente’s roster despite an indifferent first season in the capital. Huijsen must be entering 2026–27 incredibly determined.

LB: Marc Cucurella—The new left back earned minutes off the bench against Schalke last week, and given Madrid’s alternatives at the position, Mourinho must be tempted to chuck Cucurella in right away.

CM: Federico Valverde—The Uruguayan midfielder was back in Madrid for the start of preseason after a wretched World Cup, and although Valverde could be used in a myriad of roles, Aurélien Tchouaméni’s absence through injury means he’ll likely start in midfield.

CM: Bernardo Silva—Rodri won’t be joining Silva in Madrid, but that certainly hasn’t taken from the Portuguese’s excitement about being at the club. He got a few games under his belt in preseason, and should be ready to start from the outset on Saturday.

RW: Brahim Díaz—Supporters must be patient with Yan Diomande, who’s become the most expensive African soccer player ever this summer. He’ll be eased in by Mourinho, meaning Brahim, who scored superbly in the preseason win over Deportivo de A Coruña, will continue down the right.

AM: Arda Güler—When citing players who could potentially mitigate Rodri’s decision to join Barcelona, Mourinho first mentioned Güler, who’s likely to operate higher up the pitch but certainly has the potential to evolve into a midfield controller.

LW: Vinícius Júnior—After penning a lucrative new contract off the back of Brazil’s worst World Cup performance since 1990, Vini Jr must be motivated to restore Madrid to the summit of Spanish and European soccer. Mourinho’s relationship with the maverick winger will be a key sub-plot of the season.

ST: Kylian Mbappé—Mourinho is confident about the compatibility of Madrid’s attacking stars, and Mbappé has promised a glorious campaign in the capital. The Frenchman is without a major honor since arriving, but he has claimed back-to-back Pichichi Trophies.

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