Denzel Dumfries, Real Madrid player
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images
Real Madrid will finally kick off their 2026/27 La Liga campaign tonight with an away fixture against RCD Espanyol.
In what marks the first official match of Jose Mourinho’s second tenure at the club, the Portuguese tactician has announced the starting lineup that will take the field at the RCDE Stadium.
Three new signings feature
As expected, as many as three Real Madrid summer signings start in the opening game against Espanyol.
Two of those come in the defensive line where Denzel Dumfries edges out Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, while Ibrahima Konate is preferred over Antonio Rudiger to partner Dean Huijsen at centre-back.
Alvaro Carreras gets the nod ahead of Marc Cucurella on the left side, while Thibaut Courtois continues to man the goal.
The third new signing in the lineup comes in the form of Bernardo Silva, who features in the double pivot in midfield alongside captain Federico Valverde.
Jude Bellingham operates as the attacking midfielder for Mourinho’s Real Madrid, while Vinicius Jr. takes up the left flank and Kylian Mbappe spearheads the attack.
On the right-wing, the manager has opted to go in with Arda Guler, who has impressed in pre-season, instead of opting for €140 million new arrival Yan Diomande or Brahim Diaz.
Carlos Espi is an option off the bench.
📋✅ ¡Nuestro XI inicial!
🆚 @RCDEspanyol
👉 @UnicajaBanco pic.twitter.com/nNdmkMiBzU
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) August 22, 2026
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Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid player
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Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid player
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