Mourinho’s Madrid Faces Espanyol Amid Injury Crisis

Real Madrid launch their new La Liga campaign on Saturday night in Cornella, and it is no gentle easing-in. A packed RCDE Stadium, an Espanyol side buzzing after a 3–0 opening win over Levante, and a Real squad patched together for Jose Mourinho’s first official match back in charge.

Espanyol flying, but missing key pieces

Espanyol could hardly have asked for a better start. Three goals, three points, and a surge of belief heading into a meeting with one of the title favourites.

They are not at full strength either. Cabrera is suspended, while Javi Puado and Kike Garcia miss out through injury. Even so, the mood around the Catalan club is upbeat. They have momentum, a home crowd ready to roar, and the chance to land an early blow on a wounded giant.

Madrid’s long list of absentees

For Madrid, the problems stack up quickly.

Mendy, Asensio, Militao, Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch, Rodrygo and Endrick are all ruled out with physical issues, stripping Mourinho of depth in defence, midfield and attack. It is an injury list that would unsettle any coach, let alone one trying to stamp his authority on a new‑old project from day one.

The response has been clear: look to Valdebebas. Mourinho has turned to the academy, calling up Mario Rivas, Cestero and Alexis Ceria to bolster a threadbare squad. Their presence on the bench underlines both the scale of the crisis and the opportunity that comes with it. One tight game, one moment of chaos, and a youngster could be thrown straight into the spotlight.

A star-studded XI despite the crisis

Even with so many absences, the starting XI that "Marca" expects from Los Merengues underlines why Madrid remain feared.

Courtois is set to start in goal, behind a back line of Arnold, Konate, Huijsen and Carreras. In midfield, Valverde’s running and edge should sit alongside the craft of Bernardo Silva and Brahim Diaz. Ahead of them, Arda Guler, Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe form a front line built for damage.

On paper, it is a team that can dominate any stadium in Spain. On the pitch, it will be Mourinho’s first real look at how these pieces fit together under pressure, away from the safety net of pre-season.

Title revenge on Mourinho’s mind

The objective is blunt. Madrid want their La Liga crown back after watching Barcelona lift the trophy in each of the past two seasons. Patience will be thin. Every dropped point will be magnified. Every decision Mourinho makes will be measured against that single demand: win the league.

Espanyol see something else. A chance to turn their bright start into a statement, to take points off a wounded heavyweight and prove that their opening‑day win was no early‑season illusion.

One side is chasing redemption. The other is chasing respect. The new Mourinho era at Real Madrid begins in a stadium that loves nothing more than making giants suffer.