Real Madrid host newly promoted Málaga in LaLiga's third round
On Sunday, 30 August, Real Madrid welcomed newly promoted Málaga to the Santiago Bernabéu for round three of LaLiga; Madrid arrived with a maximum six points from their opening two games, while Málaga had started the season with a loss and a draw.
Background
Real Madrid hosted Málaga at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, 30 August, with kick-off at 17:00 local time (as reported by El País), in matchday three of LaLiga EA Sports. The home side arrived with six points from six after wins over Espanyol and Real Sociedad. Málaga, back in Spain's top flight after several seasons away, had a mixed start to the campaign: they lost 2-0 away to Atlético Madrid, conceding both goals in the final 20 minutes, before drawing 1-1 at home against Deportivo at La Rosaleda.
According to Diario AS, more than 600 Málaga fans travelled to the Bernabéu for their club's return to the iconic stadium, unwilling to miss the occasion following their promotion back to the top division. The visitors wore their third kit, in black and pink, for the occasion.
Lineups
Manager José Mourinho made five changes compared with the previous match. Defender Marc Cucurella made his first start for Real Madrid, while Antonio Rüdiger and Trent Alexander-Arnold also came into the back line, with Konaté and Dumfries rested. Eduardo Camavinga replaced Bernardo Silva in midfield, and Brahim Díaz started on the right of the front line. Starting XI: Courtois; Trent, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Cucurella; Camavinga, Valverde; Brahim, Bellingham, Vinícius; Mbappé. AS noted that starting Camavinga and Brahim can also be read as a signal amid ongoing transfer speculation, since the window was still open and both players have been linked with moves away. Mourinho also said he did not want to rush Aurélien Tchouameni back, with the midfielder expected to get minutes in matchday five, while Militão and Endrick continue separate individual training at Valdebebas and could return for the game against Real Betis or Madrid's opening Champions League fixture.
Málaga coach Juan Funes made two changes from the previous match: David Larrubia returned to the starting eleven and Rafa Rodríguez also came in, with Juan Cruz and Dani Lorenzo dropping out. Málaga's XI: Herrero; Puga, Recio, Galilea, Rafita; Larrubia, Dotor, Merino, Rafa Rodríguez, Joaquín Muñoz; Chupe.
Additional note
AS pointed out that the match also offered Kylian Mbappé a chance to move outright to the top of LaLiga's scoring charts. As the source reports were published before and around kick-off, no final score is included.
