Real Madrid will begin their 2026-27 LaLiga campaign against Espanyol on August 22, with José Mourinho set to take charge of the club in a competitive league match for the first time since returning for his second spell.
The Portuguese manager returned to the Santiago Bernabéu after the club's previous campaign and now faces his first LaLiga assignment away from home. Mourinho has already overseen the team's pre-season preparations, with Real Madrid also playing a series of friendlies ahead of the new campaign.
Real Madrid's league opener was pushed back from the opening weekend, with their original fixture against Real Sociedad rescheduled for August 26. That means the trip to Espanyol will provide the first competitive look at Mourinho's new-look Real Madrid in league action.
Espanyol Look To Start Strong
Espanyol, meanwhile, have already played their first LaLiga match of the season. They opened their campaign with a 3-0 win over Levante on August 16, giving them an early boost ahead of the visit of Real Madrid. That result means Espanyol will enter the contest with confidence.
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Real Madrid's Challenge
The club are looking to challenge Barcelona for the Spanish title this season after finishing behind the Catalan side in the previous campaign. The return of Mourinho has consequently generated considerable attention, with the new season bringing renewed expectations around the Madrid giants.
The match will also give fans an early indication of Mourinho's preferred setup and how his squad adapts to his approach.
Kickoff Time
The Espanyol vs Real Madrid match is scheduled to start at 1 a.m. Indian Standard Time on Sunday.
Head-to-Head
In LaLiga, Real Madrid have a clear historical advantage over Espanyol. The two sides have met 180 times, with Real Madrid winning 110 matches, Espanyol claiming 37 victories, and 33 encounters ending in draws.
Probable Lineups
- Espanyol: Marko Dmitrović; Rubén Sánchez, Jorrel Hato, Leandro Cabrera, Omar El Hilali; Urko González de Zárate, Pol Lozano, Edu Expósito; Tyrhys Dolan, Roberto Fernández, Rubén Sánchez
- Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois; Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konaté, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella; Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jude Bellingham; Brahim DÃaz, Kylian Mbappé, VinÃcius Júnior
How To Watch Live Telecast?
There is no confirmed TV channel for a live telecast of Espanyol vs Real Madrid in India.
How To Watch Live Streaming?
Indian viewers can watch the Espanyol vs Real Madrid LaLiga match live on FanCode app and website.
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