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Espanyol vs Real Madrid Match Preview

In today’s match preview, we look ahead to both team’s chances and single out some important factors.

Real Madrid’s all-star team expected to march on

Two weeks ago, Los Blancos had to strive to clinch all three points. Despite profiting from the home advantage, Real Madrid suffered a scare as Deportivo proved stronger than one could imagine. Their narrow 3-2 win at the Santiago Bernabeu was just enough to secure themselves a place in the top 8 of La Liga’s standings.

In spite of all the big names that featured on day 1 of the new season, Real Madrid lack behind Getafe, rivals Barcelona, Malaga, Mallorca, and Valencia who all enjoyed a three-goal difference.

As Coach Manuel Pellegrini stipulated before the campaign, Real Madrid will concentrate on going match by match in order to free themselves from immense pressure.
Getting the tree points at the Cornell El Prat stadium is a must for Los Blancos who are filled up with several big stars.

Pellegrini will benefit from the return of Sergio Ramos in defense after the Spanish international recovered from the long-time injury that kept him on the sidelines since July.

Another player which boosts Madrid’s squad is AC Milan’s former playmaker Kaka. The Brazilian was granted the permission to leave South America and join Los Merengues after being suspended for Brazil’s clash against Chile.

As at now, Real Madrid’s starting line-up for the Espanyol encounter remains unknown. The presence of Van der Vaart, Nilsterooy, or even Arbeloa will feature is still unpredictable.

'Jarque-less' Espanyol ready to pounce on Real Madrid

Losing by a single goal to nil against Atletico Bilbao on match-day 1 was a real heartache for Espanyol who felt unrewarded for their fine display. 

According to their coach Pochettino, his team hasn’t given up the fight just yet. The Barcelona-based side is determined to bounce back by overcoming the challenge against Real Madrid on Saturday. After Espanyol’s  1-0 loss to Bilbao in their first game of the season, Pochettino declared that his men “must continue working”.

Most of Espanyol’s squad players – if not all – didn’t receive call ups to play for their respective national teams during the international break.

As a result, the Blanquiblaus are benefiting of more training time together. Speaking after Espanyol’s defeat to Bilbao two weeks ago, the manager underlined:

"I have fifteen days to prepare and ensure that I have removed this bitter flavor, and make sure the players understand the football philosophy that I try to teach."

Espanyol’s highlighted players

Ivan de la Peña is expected to return on the field of play. The Spanish midfielder intends to make a memorable come back against Los Blancos at the new Cornella-El Prat stadium.

"I'm doing everything possible to play against Madrid,” de la Peña stated. 

“I must be cautious and see how it [the injury] evolves in the coming days, but I am hopeful."

In defense, Espanyol will be without the late Jarque whose captaincy is now gone to De La Pena. Boca Junior’s on-loan Facundo Roncaglia is expected to fill in the hole. The defender admitted the difficulty of playing in Jarque’s position.

"Whoever now plays in his position, whether that be Victor Ruiz, [Juan] Forlin or myself, cannot think about substituting him.

"People will always say that the player is there because Jarque is not, but we have to accept that and to take on that extra pressure and not think about it."

There might be even more pressure as Roncaglia will have to maintain the likes of Karim Benzema or Raul upfront. But despite Real Madrid’s new-look squad, Facundo Roncaglia remains positive and courageous ahead of the big clash on Saturday. He said:

"Like any big game, our aim is to go out in the best way possible and with optimism,

"We know that we must try to get a good result, in order to start the season well."

Meanwhile, there could also be a debut for Espanyol’s 21-year-old new comer Juan Forlin. In an interview with Marca, the Argentine defender expressed his feelings ahead of Saturday’s big clash against the Spanish giants. He declared:

"It would be nice to face Madrid. It's a great team with great players, the best in the world in their position. Madrid has many key figures and it will be a difficult game.”

Pinpointing Karim Benzema who is yet to have a La Liga goal, Forlin affirmed:

"Benzema is a great player, like all of Madrid.”

He concluded: “I feel ready."

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