Jose Mourinho has made five changes to the Real Madrid starting XI for Sunday’s La Liga meeting with Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Marc Cucurella named in the team for the first time since joining the club.
The Real Madrid manager has opted for rotation after Wednesday’s match against Real Sociedad. Cucurella’s inclusion is the most notable alteration, while Antonio Rudiger and Trent Alexander-Arnold also come into the defence.
Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries have been left out of the starting line-up to be rested, while Bernardo Silva has also been given a break. Eduardo Camavinga replaces Silva in midfield.
Brahim Diaz starts in attack, providing an additional option alongside Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham. The forward line therefore combines the pace and attacking threat of Vinicius and Mbappe with Bellingham’s presence and Diaz’s creativity.
Real Madrid’s starting XI is:
Thibaut Courtois, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Brahim Diaz, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.
The club announced the line-up with the message:
📋✅ ¡Nuestro XI inicial!🆚@MalagaCF👉@UnicajaBancopic.twitter.com/OmZVwxHsCK
Malaga’s team, selected by manager Juan Funes, includes Alfonso Herrero in goal. Boveda, Recio and Galilea form part of the defensive unit, with Rafita, La Rubia, Dotor and Merino also named in the starting side.
Rafa Rodriguez, Joaquin Munoz and Chupi complete Malaga’s XI for the fixture.
Malaga’s starting line-up is:
Alfonso Herrero, Boveda, Recio, Galilea, Rafita, La Rubia, Dotor, Merino, Rafa Rodriguez, Joaquin Munoz and Chupi.
The match at the Santiago Bernabeu gives Mourinho’s side an opportunity to continue with a reshaped team after the midweek fixture against Real Sociedad. His decision to rotate means several established players have been rested, while Cucurella receives his first opportunity to begin a match for Real Madrid.
The five changes affect both defence and attack, with Cucurella, Rudiger and Alexander-Arnold brought into the back line, Camavinga introduced in midfield and Diaz added to the attacking group. Konate, Dumfries and Bernardo Silva are among those not selected to start.
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