Real Madrid RMA Rodrygo (33', 43'), Asensio (55'), Benzema (81')
4 - 0
-
Full Time

Match preview

Ancelotti to rotate – How Real Madrid will line up against Espanyol

With Manchester City to come in the Champions League in midweek, expect big changes from Los Blancos as they aim to close out the league title

 
1:12pm on Friday 29th April 2022
By
Robin Bairner

Real Madrid host Espanyol on Saturday needing just a point to claim the La Liga title.

Carlo Ancelotti will make history at the weekend if his side earn at least a draw, as he will become the first manager in history to win titles in each of the Big 5 leagues.

However, Madrid have greater priorities than this given they are still very much in contention against Manchester City in the Champions League after losing the first leg of their semi-final 4-3 in what was a classic encounter.

With five opportunities for Ancelotti and his side to pick up the point they need, rotation is likely to be the order of the day for the clash against Espanyol.

Certainly, some will be forced. Eder Militao is missing along with Nacho Fernandez from the defence, while there are also serious injury doubts over David Alaba. It could mean that Jesus Vallejo and Rafa Marin start in a makeshift central defensive pairing.

Elsewhere in the back four, meanwhile, Marcelo can expect to start ahead of Ferland Mendy at left-back to give the Frenchman a breather.

Similarly, changes should be forecast in midfield, where veterans Luka Modric and Toni Kroos could be given reduced playing time, despite questions over Casemiro’s fitness. Edouardo Camavinga, Isco and Dani Ceballos could all step in.

Meanwhile, Ancelotti has decisions to make in attack. Does he keep the powder of Karim Benzema and Vini Jr dry for what is a more important date in midweek? With Rodrygo, Marco Asensio and Gareth Bale available, there is every chance that this superstar duo will not play the 90 minutes of Saturday’s game.

Of course, it would be preferable for Real Madrid to close out the title at the weekend, but the midweek return match with Manchester City must take precedence.

Possible Real Madrid XI vs Espanyol

Recent Ratings

Next Game

  Average Match Rating  
7.6
  Home  
5.9
7.1
  Away  
6.2
7.4
  Total  
6.0

Match statistics

Real Madrid
Statistics
Espanyol
Games Played
20
20
 
Results
 
Wins
13
7
Draws
2
4
Losses
5
9
 
Goals Scoring
 
Goals Scored
39
26
Goals Per Game
1.95
1.30
More > 2.5 Goals
13
12
More > 3 Goals
9
6
Scored First in a Match
9
9
Scored Both Halves
7
3
Won More > 1 Goal
8
1
 
Other
 
Goals Conceded
23
34
Did Not Score
4
2
Both Teams Scored
10
15
Kept Clean Sheet
7
3
Won Without Conceding
6
3
Games Played
20
20
 
Possession
 
Touches
765
608
Possession
55
47
Passes
581
420
 
Attacking
 
Total Shots
16
11
Shots on Target
6.47
3.70
Goals out of Shots
0.13
0.13
Crosses
14
15
Offsides
2.88
2.29
Penalties
0.40
0.10
 
Defensive
 
Clean Sheets
0.35
0.15
Tackles Won
-
-
Clearances
12
22
Interceptions
9.44
9.93
Own Goals
0.00
0.00
Aerials Won
9.31
13
Total Shots Conceded
12
11
Shots on Target Conceded
3.95
4.10
Goals out of Shots Conceded
0.15
0.18
 
Discipline
 
Fouls
9.95
13
Yellow Cards
2.40
3.35
Red Cards
0.10
0.05

Injuries

  1. Knee Injury image description
  2. Illness image description
  3. Hamstring image description
  4. Back Injury image description
  5. Broken Leg image description
  6. Hamstring image description
  7. Groin/Pelvis Injury image description
  8. Unknown image description
  9. Knee Injury image description

Suspended

  1. image description  
  2. image description