Real Madrid will be aiming to close the gap on arch-rivals Barcelona when they take on RCD Espanyol in La Liga in less than two hours at the Santiago Bernabeu.
After recording three consecutive victories in all competitions, Carlo Ancelotti and his teammates will approach the match with confidence and dynamism.
Ahead of kick-off, the coach revealed Real Madrid’s starting line-up that will face the newly promoted side at the Bernabéu.
Ancelotti made some key changes to the team that faced VfB Stuttgart in the UCL midweek match.
The most important of these sees Vinicius Jr. benched in favour of Arda Guler in attack, with Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo Goes keeping their places in the team.
Meanwhile, captain Luka Modric starts in midfield alongside Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde for The Whites.
Modric’s introduction comes as Aurelien Tchouameni was given a starting role in central defence, with Ancelotti choosing to rest Antonio Rudiger. Eder Militao returns to the team after starting on the bench in midweek.
Fran Garcia replaces Ferland Mendy at left-back while Dani Carvajal retains his spot on the right. Thibaut Courtois, the midweek match’s MVP, continues in goal.
