Football Espana
·25 August 2024
Football Espana
·25 August 2024
Real Madrid are aiming for their first La Liga victory on Sunday. Carlo Ancelotti’s side play host to Real Valladolid at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the big story ahead of the fixture is the “homecoming” of Kylian Mbappe, who will take his long-awaited first appearance at the iconic stadium as a Los Blancos player.
Mbappe, as expected, will start alongside Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes in attack. Marca say that two changes are to be made from last weekend’s draw at Son Moix – both enforced, with Fran Garcia and Luka Modric replacing Ferland Mendy (suspended) and Jude Bellingham (injured).
Valladolid are expected to stick with the same line-up that started their opening weekend victory against Espanyol. That means that Real Madrid loanee Mario Martin would be on the bench, with Kike Perez and Eray Comert continuing in the centre of midfield for La Pucela, who are eyeing up an unlikely victory in the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid are huge favourites to win this one, and get their first three points of the season on the board. However, Valladolid are full of confidence after defeating Espanyol on Monday, so they won’t make it easy for Mbappe and co.