Álvaro Arbeloa’s Real Madrid have named a formidable starting eleven for their LaLiga Jornada 34 clash against Espanyol on Sunday, May 3, 2026 — a match that carries serious implications as the title race enters its defining final stretch.
Federico Valverde will wear the captain’s armband for the occasion, leading a midfield loaded with quality and experience. Jude Bellingham and Aurélien Tchouaméni line up alongside the Uruguayan maestro in what promises to be a dominant engine room capable of dictating the tempo from first whistle to last.
A Defense Built for Business
Between the posts, Andriy Lunin continues his impressive spell as first-choice goalkeeper — though reports suggest Thibaut Courtois is being lined up to return for next weekend’s blockbuster El Clásico against Barcelona. Trent Alexander-Arnold, still fighting to prove his worth to England manager Thomas Tuchel ahead of the World Cup, starts again at right back.
Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rüdiger anchor the heart of defence, with Ferland Mendy providing cover on the left flank. It is a back line built on physical presence and positional discipline — exactly what will be needed against an Espanyol side desperate to climb the table and avoid the drop zone.
Thiago Gets His Moment
The standout selection of the day is undoubtedly the inclusion of Thiago — wearing the number 45 shirt — who earns a rare start in a wide attacking role. The youngster, part of Real Madrid’s celebrated academy pipeline, gets his chance to impress on the big stage with the likes of Vini Jr. and Brahim Díaz flanking him in an electrifying attacking trio.
Vinícius Júnior, who has been in devastating form throughout the season, leads the line with his trademark directness and unpredictability. Brahim Díaz, meanwhile, brings clever movement and technical flair to complement the pace and power of his attacking teammates.
Bench Loaded With Options
Arbeloa has left himself a wealth of options on the bench, with the likes of Camavinga, Asencio, Alaba, Mastantuono, and Fran García all available to change the game. The depth on display underlines just how far this squad has evolved under its new management era — a squad now capable of rotating heavily without sacrificing quality or intensity.
Real Madrid will be keen to bounce back after a frustrating 1-1 draw against Real Betis in their previous outing, knowing that maximum points on Sunday are essential ahead of the defining weeks of the season. With El Clásico looming large on the horizon, a convincing performance against Espanyol could be exactly the confidence booster Los Blancos need.
Confirmed Starting XI: Lunin; Trent, Rüdiger, Huijsen, F. Mendy; Valverde (C), Bellingham, Tchouaméni; Thiago, Brahim, Vini Jr.
