Dani Carvajal will replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in the Real Madrid starting lineup against Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
Real Madrid will aim to continue a flawless start to the 2025/26 La Liga campaign when they host Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday evening. Xabi Alonso has received a mixed bag of updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Endrick is fit and available after recovering from a hamstring injury. Alonso has picked the Brazilian attacking sensation in the matchday squad for Saturday’s game. However, Trent Alexander-Arnold is the latest player on the sidelines after picking up a thigh issue earlier this week in the UEFA Champions League clash with Marseille.
The English international has joined Ferland Mendy and Antonio Rudiger on the sidelines, with the experienced defensive duo recovering from hamstring issues. Additionally, Dean Huijsen is unavailable after being sent off last weekend against Real Sociedad. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Alonso discussed Huijsen’s absence and the possibility of players who recently returned from injuries getting some minutes.
The Real Madrid manager said, “I’m not surprised. I’d have liked the decision to go the other way. But it’s not going to be possible to have Dean for tomorrow. I’d have liked to have him after not being able to play him for 60 minutes at Anoeta. If it was a mistake, it should have consequences, but it doesn’t seem to have been the case. Let’s leave it at that.”
“Perhaps. You have to look at the context of the game. I’d like to see them get some minutes. Endrick is also in the squad. There are five games until the next break and it’s good news that we have Edu [Camavinga] and Jude. Endrick has been in less training, but he’s ready to be called up.”
Thibaut Courtois is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Real Madrid lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him against Espanyol on Saturday. The backline will feature Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, and Alvaro Carreras.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Arda Guler. Finally, Kylian Mbappe will lead the line for the home side against Espanyol, with Vinicius Junior and Franco Mastantuono completing the numbers in the offensive third. So, Rodrygo, Brahim Diaz, and Endrick will be backup options on the bench.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni, Guler; Mastantuono, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
