Real Madrid Clinches Late Victory Against Espanyol in La Liga Opener
Real Madrid kicked off their 2026-27 season with a hard-fought victory over Espanyol on Saturday night in their La Liga opener. The team appeared to be heading for a lackluster draw until debutant Carlos Espi scored a late goal, securing three points for Madrid as they returned home.
In the post-match press conference, head coach Jose Mourinho assessed the game. According to Diario AS, he expressed some sympathy for Espanyol, but reinforced that his team deserved the win.
“I think we deserved to win, but Espanyol didn’t deserve to lose. In the second half we had great control and great pressure, we took a lot of risks. We deserved to win. But a team that plays like Espanyol, that defends like that and that comes out like that, on the counterattack, with the players on the limit, with good organisation… It will be hard for them to go home with nothing. But we deserved it.”
Mourinho Critiques Treatment of Vinicius
Mourinho also conveyed his disappointment regarding the treatment of Vinicius Junior during the match at the RCDE Stadium.
“I have the risk that you will go months ago to get my words out when I was Vini’s opponent. But now Vini is mine. He is not a saint, but what they do to him is too much. From the first minute, it is as if it already had a format. Now I give it to him, now you give it, one comes out with yellow, another enters without yellow… It’s a big frustration for him, he must have a lot of mental control. I have even told him that if he scores, he should be careful how he celebrates. We are in a social era of anti-bullying, but with Vini we are still in the era of bullying.”
Mourinho also praised Jude Bellingham, who was Real Madrid’s standout performer against Espanyol.
“When we talk about the best in the world, Madrid have a lot in that group. Bellingham, Vinicius, Mbappé… They are. I had doubts with Jude about whether to start him or later. I don’t know if I did well, but physically and mentally he is very strong. I expect him to connect with the attackers. He has a goal, he has to play close to the goal. He can play further back, but there we lose his closeness to the goal. I like Jude who with top physical condition, makes those chances. And Fede can also get more into that position, but when he plays with Bernardo he has to pay more attention and we lose that a bit. We are getting to know each other, but we are doing it without losing points. That’s what’s important.”
Mourinho expressed delight for Espi, who made a memorable debut for Real Madrid by scoring the winning goal in the final moments of the match.
“He’s a very funny guy. We live together there in Valdebebas, we have breakfast together, we eat together, we have dinner together, me, my stuff, him, and Cucurella. Tomorrow is his presentation, imagine, live a dream. But he doesn’t work like someone who is on the moon, he works a lot. He has everything in goal, he is an excellent player. When we saw that Gonzalo could go to Fulham, we analysed well and we are very happy with him. We need something like this in this type of game.”
Real Madrid started their 2026-27 season with victory over Espanyol in their La Liga opener on Saturday night. They had been heading towards a disappointing draw, but thanks to debutant Carlos Espi’s late goal, they head back to the Spanish capital with three points.
After the match, head coach Jose Mourinho spoke to the media to give his assessment. As per Diario AS, he felt some sympathy for Espanyol, although he made it clear that his side’s victory was deserved.
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“I think we deserved to win, but Espanyol didn’t deserve to lose. In the second half we had great control and great pressure, we took a lot of risks. We deserved to win. But a team that plays like Espanyol, that defends like that and that comes out like that, on the counterattack, with the players on the limit, with good organisation… It will be hard for them to go home with nothing. But we deserved it.”
Mourinho bemoans Vinicius treatment
Mourinho also spoke of his frustration at the treatment received by Vinicius Junior during the 90 minutes at the RCDE Stadium.
“I have the risk that you will go months ago to get my words out when I was Vini’s opponent. But now Vini is mine. He is not a saint, but what they do to him is too much. From the first minute, it is as if it already had a format. Now I give it to him, now you give it, one comes out with yellow, another enters without yellow… It’s a big frustration for him, he must have a lot of mental control. I have even told him that if he scores, he should be careful how he celebrates. We are in a social era of anti-bullying, but with Vini we are still in the era of bullying.”
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He also spoke glowingly on Jude Bellingham, who was Real Madrid’s standout performer against Espanyol.
“When we talk about the best in the world, Madrid have a lot in that group. Bellingham, Vinicius, Mbappé… They are. I had doubts with Jude about whether to start him or later. I don’t know if I did well, but physically and mentally he is very strong. I expect him to connect with the attackers. He has a goal, he has to play close to the goal. He can play further back, but there we lose his closeness to the goal. I like Jude who with top physical condition, makes those chances. And Fede can also get more into that position, but when he plays with Bernardo he has to pay more attention and we lose that a bit. We are getting to know each other, but we are doing it without losing points. That’s what’s important.”
Mourinho was also delighted for Espi, who had a magical debut as a Real Madrid player after scoring the winning goal in the 90th minute.
“He’s a very funny guy. We live together there in Valdebebas, we have breakfast together, we eat together, we have dinner together, me, my stuff, him, and Cucurella. Tomorrow is his presentation, imagine, live a dream. But he doesn’t work like someone who is on the moon, he works a lot. He has everything in goal, he is an excellent player. When we saw that Gonzalo could go to Fulham, we analysed well and we are very happy with him. We need something like this in this type of game.”
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