Another week, another match with all eyes on Real Madrid while Zinedine Zidane learns his craft as a manager. This time around it’s a home match against Espanyol, something of a “mini-Clasico” as their guests are Barcelona’s second team.
Real Madrid vs. Espanyol 2016 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch La Liga online
Real Madrid suffered their first bloody nose under Zinedine Zidane last weekend and are hoping to bounce back with a big win against visiting Espanyol.
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Of course, Espanyol don’t have the scary collection of talent that Barcelona do, so Madrid will be hoping for an easy match. They performed excellently in their first two matches under Zidane, but they looked listless and vulnerable last weekend against Real Betis. How Zidane and his team respond to that performance will be key and could prove very telling of how the Zidane Era will go at the Santiago Bernabeu. Of course, Madrid thrashed Espanyol 6-0 when they met earlier this season, so maybe there won’t be anything to be concerned about.
Key player -- Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldo. You can’t talk about Real Madrid without talking about Ronaldo. When he struggles, the conversation is about finding ways to get him going or the team figuring out how to carry him. When he’s in form, it’s about the opposition figuring out how to slow him down without exposing themselves to the rest of Madrid’s star-studded squad. No matter how he plays or what he does in this game, many inches of digital ink will be spilled on Ronaldo, especially while he and Zidane are still getting used to one another and their player-manager relationship.
Key matchup -- Raphaël Varane (Real Madrid) vs. Felipe Caicedo (Espanyol)
With Gerard Moreno suspended, The bulk of Espanyol’s attacking pressure will have to come through Caicedo. He’s generally done well when they’ve needed him to step up this season, but he’s going to have to find a whole new gear in this match considering who he’s up against. Varane hasn’t always played to his potential this season, but Caicedo will still need to work incredibly hard and play at his absolute best in order to find openings to score.
Real Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: Gareth Bale In doubt: Pepe
Espanyol injuries and suspensions
Out: Victor Alvarez, Gerard Moreno, Felipe Caicedo, Anaitz Arbilla
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 2:30 p.m. ET, 8:30 p.m. local
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
TV: beIN Sports en Español (U.S. - Spanish), Canal+ Partidazo (Spain), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: beIN Sports Connect, Fubo TV (U.S.), Sky Go (U.K.)
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