Real Madrid are approaching their first La Liga match of the season, with a fixture against Espanyol to kick-start the campaign.
The anticipation is palpable as Los Blancos begin their new project under an old face, Jose Mourinho, and his potential starting XI is beginning to emerge.
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According to Melchor Ruiz of El Partidazo de COPE, Mourinho has almost finalized 10 of his 11 players for the Espanyol clash.
There is one remaining decision that he is doubtful about, which happens to be in central defense.
Dumfries could get the nod at right-back
Ruiz expects Thibaut Courtois to start in goal, with Denzel Dumfries expected to start ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back.
Dean Huijsen is also expected to feature, with the Spaniard nailing down one of the two central defensive roles in the team.
Meanwhile, Alvaro Carreras could occupy the left-back role, with Marc Cucurella returning late after his World Cup exploits.
Mourinho will begin his Real Madrid journey against Espanyol. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
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The remaining center-back spot is where the biggest question lies, with Jose still having doubts over whether to go with Antonio Rudiger or Ibrahima Konate.
Further forward, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde are tipped to form the midfield partnership.
This would leave summer arrival Bernardo Silva out of the starting XI, and that comes as quite a surprise.
Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz are both expected to start, with the former as the No. 10 and the latter on the right, providing creative support forward.
This would mean that both English superstar Jude Bellingham and blockbuster summer signing Yan Diomande will start the season on the bench.
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Guler, in particular, has received immense praise from Mourinho, with the Portuguese tactician expecting him to transition into a Modric-like deep-lying midfielder in the future.
Vinicius and Mbappe will lead Real Madrid’s attack. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
There are considerably fewer doubts regarding the two biggest attacking names.
Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe are both expected to start, giving Madrid enormous speed and individual quality in the final third.
The possible XI, therefore, would be: Courtois; Dumfries, Huijsen, Rudiger/Konate, Carreras; Camavinga, Valverde; Brahim, Guler; Vinicius, Mbappe.
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This is definitely not Mourinho’s preferred or full-strength XI, but one based on pre-season preparedness.
Madrid’s pre-season has been complicated by players returning at different stages, and it may take some more time for a few players to get up to speed.
It is going to be a case of managing minutes for key stars, at least until the first international break, and it remains to be seen whether the above XI manages to get the job done against Espanyol.
