The ever-divisive José Mourinho opted to leave record-breaking signing Yan Diomande out of his starting lineup for Real Madrid’s 2026–27 La Liga opener against Espanyol on Saturday.
Los Blancos come into Saturday’s fixture desperate to make a statement after two seasons without winning a major trophy. The 15-time European champions welcomed six new faces to the Bernabéu this summer to help their cause: Diomande, Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, Bernardo Silva and Carlos Espí.
