Real’s probable starting XI against Málaga is taking shape

Real Madrid welcome Málaga to the Santiago Bernabéu this Sunday looking to continue their perfect start to the domestic campaign. After winning their opening two league matches, José Mourinho’s men will be aiming for a third consecutive victory against one of the newly promoted sides.

The Portuguese coach is nevertheless expected to make several changes to his starting lineup as he continues to manage the fitness and workload of his squad during a demanding start to the season.

Real's probable starting XI against Málaga is taking shape

Mourinho’s expected starting XI

Mourinho has already confirmed during his pre-match press conference that Marc Cucurella will start at left-back instead of Álvaro Carreras. The Spanish international is therefore set to make his first league start in this position.

There could also be changes at the heart of the defence. Antonio Rüdiger is pushing for a starting role and could line up alongside Dean Huijsen, although Ibrahima Konaté is another strong option available to Mourinho.

On the right side of defence, Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to return to the starting eleven, potentially replacing Denzel Dumfries.

Further forward, major changes are not expected. Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham should once again play important roles in Mourinho’s attacking system. Arda Güler is also a serious candidate to start, while summer signing Yan Diomandé remains another possible option if the coach decides to rotate his attacking players.

In midfield, Real Madrid will once again have to cope without Aurélien Tchouaméni, who remains unavailable through injury. Eduardo Camavinga is expected to begin the match on the bench, meaning Bernardo Silva and Federico Valverde could continue together in the double pivot, as they have done in the opening games of the campaign.

Mourinho will still be without several members of his squad. Tchouaméni, Éder Militão, Endrick, Ferland Mendy, Raúl Asencio, Thiago Pitarch and Rodrygo are all expected to miss the match and watch from the stands.

Málaga, meanwhile, are still searching for their first victory since returning to La Liga. The Andalusian side began the season with a defeat against Atlético Madrid before earning a draw against Deportivo La Coruña.

History is also heavily against Málaga at the Santiago Bernabéu. The club has recorded 13 defeats and only three draws in its previous visits to Real Madrid’s stadium. Málaga’s most recent trip to the Bernabéu came in November 2017, when they suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat.

Starting lineup

4-3-3

Real Madrid will therefore enter the encounter as clear favourites, but Mourinho will expect maximum concentration as his team looks to maintain its strong opening to the season.

Real Madrid probable XI: Courtois; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Rüdiger, Cucurella; Bernardo Silva, Valverde; Bellingham, Güler, Vinicius Junior; Mbappé.