Real Madrid make five changes as Marc Cucurella makes first start against Malaga

Jose Mourinho has made five changes to the Real Madrid side for their Spanish league meeting with Malaga at Santiago Bernabeu, with Marc Cucurella named in the starting line-up for the first time.

The match is due to take place shortly at Real Madrid’s home stadium, with Mourinho’s side looking to continue its perfect start to the campaign. Real Madrid won their opening two league matches against Real Sociedad and Espanyol.

Antonio Rudiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Marc Cucurella, Brahim Diaz and Eduardo Camavinga all come into the team for the fixture against Malaga.

Thibaut Courtois starts in goal, while Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Dean Huijsen and Cucurella make up the back four.

Camavinga lines up in midfield alongside Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham. The forward line consists of Brahim Diaz, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

The complete Real Madrid line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham

Forwards: Brahim Diaz, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior

Cucurella’s inclusion is the most notable feature of the selection, with the defender making his first start for Real Madrid. His appearance forms part of a significant reshuffle by Mourinho, who has changed five positions from the side used in the team’s previous league outing.

Real Madrid will face Malaga at Santiago Bernabeu seeking to maintain the momentum built during the opening two rounds. Their victories over Real Sociedad and Espanyol have given them six points from their first two matches.

Mourinho’s chosen formation places experience and established attacking quality around Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, while Bellingham remains part of the midfield three. Valverde and Camavinga are also selected in the centre of the pitch, with Diaz brought into the attack for the match.

At the back, Courtois keeps his place behind a defence featuring two of the five changes. Alexander-Arnold starts on the right, Rudiger returns to the central defensive line, and Cucurella is selected on the left alongside Huijsen.

The fixture against Malaga therefore begins with Real Madrid making a clear adjustment to their starting team, while still retaining several of the players involved in their successful opening matches. Their stated line-up combines the five changes with a forward trio of Diaz, Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.