Marca: Espi was the least famous of the players Real Madrid signed, but he decided the game.

According to Marca, Espi is the least famous of the players Real Madrid signed, but he has made a difference in matches. The report also stated that Gueller must play; without him, the team's performance was significantly weaker.

Mourinho's fourth chapter at Real Madrid has begun. The RCDE Stadium becomes the stage for the Portuguese coach's second stint in charge of the White Army. Whether this project will be as successful as Ancelotti's return in 2021, or whether it will ultimately prove the old Spanish adage that "good things don't happen twice," remains to be seen.

Espanyol welcomed their second consecutive home game, following a strong start to their La Liga campaign with a 3-0 victory over Levante. Real Madrid, however, experienced two contrasting fortunes: For the first 30 minutes, Real Madrid clearly dominated; but after Vinicius's altercation with the stands, the situation shifted, igniting Manolo González's team and giving Espanyol the fighting spirit to believe they could achieve anything.

But the problem can't be solely attributed to Vinicius. Mbappe also played a game that resembled a hockey goal. The World Cup Golden Boot winner created numerous chances but failed to score. Espanyol's home ground remains on his list of goals-less stadiums, and this isn't because his teammates didn't provide him with opportunities.

In stark contrast to Mbappe was Carlos Espi. The least famous of Real Madrid's signings, he decided the game, helping his team secure a valuable three points. This young man will bring much more to Real Madrid and the Spanish national team.

Mourinho's starting lineup and "tricks"

Before the match, Mourinho gave everyone a heads-up. He playfully teased the reporters, also conveying a message to the Real Madrid dressing room: "I've already told the players the starting lineup. Let's see who among you has the better information network." This is a common tactic of a seasoned coach, demonstrating his control of timing and space. At 8:11 PM Beijing time, Real Madrid's starting lineup was announced: Courtois; Dumfries, Konaté, Huysen, Carreras; Valverde, Bernardo Silva; Gueller, Bellingham, Vinicius, and Mbappé. This was Mourinho's first starting lineup in La Liga since taking charge of Real Madrid, including three new signings and the "BMV" trio.

The first goal came from the "Türkiye-England connection".

Mourinho's Real Madrid took control of the game in less than 10 minutes. Vinicius Jr., having been fouled three times in the opening stages, took a free kick from the wing. Guler then passed the ball into the center of the Espanyol penalty area, where Bellingham capitalized on a lapse in defense and headed the ball into the net. His name appeared on Real Madrid's first La Liga goalscorer list, continuing his excellent form from the World Cup. If the number 5 continues his dominance, and his partnership with Guler continues to be effective…

Vinicius's troubles

Real Madrid initially controlled the game at their desired pace. Bellingham played freely, and Gueller dominated the match, displaying a commanding presence. However, Vinicius then clashed with opposing center-back Riedle near his own penalty area, followed by a confrontation with the stands. Real Madrid had previously silenced Manolo González's team, but that silence quickly transformed into Espanyol's passion. We cannot prove a causal relationship, but Espanyol soon scored, and the previously one-sided game began to unfold between the two penalty areas.

Guler must play

There's no point in arguing. Regardless of Mourinho's player selections, the Turk must be on the pitch. He's no longer the player who shines occasionally, whose form fluctuates, sometimes dazzling but then languishing for long stretches. No, Arda now deserves the trust of Real Madrid; he's confident in his abilities and performance. Building the team around his talent would be a good choice; anything else would be a mistake. He was the team's first substitution. Some things seem unchanging: Real Madrid won the game, but without Güller, the team's performance was significantly weaker.

Salute to the world champions

On this night filled with controversy for Real Madrid, Marc Cucurella was an exception. When his name was announced as a substitute for Real Madrid, applause erupted. He came on as a substitute after more than an hour of play and received a warm welcome. People paid tribute to the world champion, and also to the player who had grown up in Espanyol's youth academy before joining Barcelona.

The rivalry between Konaté and Roberto throughout the entire match.

Every confrontation between them was a memorable head-to-head battle: the actions a striker must take with his back to the goal, and the abilities a center-back must demonstrate to protect the team and prevent them from falling behind. The Espanyol striker scored twice in the first round of the league, but this match was not easy for him; he put in tremendous effort. The French center-back, on the other hand, proved the club's reason for signing him and starting him.

Valverde missed a golden opportunity

For Real Madrid's captain, this was a physically demanding and exhausting match with frequent transitions between attack and defense. He displayed the tireless form expected of a player, filling gaps that his teammates couldn't cover. However, he didn't get many opportunities in attack. Near the 80th minute, his shot almost broke the 1-1 deadlock, but the ball ultimately struck the post.