{"id":169,"date":"2026-08-29T21:04:53","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T21:04:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sportbulletin.top\/?p=169"},"modified":"2026-08-29T21:04:53","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T21:04:53","slug":"cucurella-brahim-start-in-a-4-2-3-1-how-real-madrid-can-line-up-against-malaga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportbulletin.top\/?p=169","title":{"rendered":"Cucurella, Brahim start in a 4-2-3-1: How Real Madrid can line up against Malaga"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Real Madrid face off against newly-promoted side Malaga in their third fixture of the 2026\/27 La Liga<\/a> later today at the Santiago Bernabeu.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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With Jose Mourinho back at the helm of affairs, the Merengues<\/em> have made a positive start to the season, registering victories over RCD Espanyol and Real Sociedad in their first two matches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Real Madrid are among the only three clubs to have made a perfect start to their La Liga<\/a> campaign, along with FC Barcelona and Sevilla.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The win over the Basque club earlier this week, in particular, will have pleased the manager, as the team produced a fine display in the second half, with Kylian Mbappe getting a hat-trick, Vinicius Jr. scoring, and Jude Bellingham<\/a> shining as well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Real Madrid\u2019s aim will be to build on that momentum and secure another victory at the Santiago Bernabeu and set the tone early in the title race.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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As was the case with the last game, Mourinho will once again be without seven players<\/a> as Rodrygo, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Raul Asencio, Thiago Pitarch, Endrick, and Aurelien Tchouameni remain unavailable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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But given the short space between matches, it is likely that the manager makes a few changes to the lineup that took the field against Real Sociedad earlier this week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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With that in mind, here is how Real Madrid<\/a> could set up against Malaga.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Defence<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Mourinho has already confirmed<\/a> that one of his new signings, Marc Cucurella<\/strong>, will start against Malaga, coming into the team at the expense of Alvaro Carreras, who was taken off at half-time in the last game.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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First start for Cucurella. (Photo by Alex Caparros\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The rest of the backline is expected to be unchanged, with Denzel Dumfries<\/strong> continuing at right-back ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold, while Ibrahima Konate<\/strong> and Dean Huijsen<\/strong> pair up at the centre.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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It will be a special game for Huijsen as he will come face-to-face against his boyhood club.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Meanwhile, veteran shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois<\/strong> will continue to guard the goal for the Spanish capital giants.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Midfield<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Moving to the midfield department, in new signing Bernardo Silva<\/strong> and captain Federico Valverde<\/strong>, Mourinho seems to have found a partnership that is working well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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As such, there is no reason for the Real Madrid<\/a> boss to tinker with his pivot pairing against Malaga, meaning Eduardo Camavinga will once again have to suffice with a spot on the bench.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Jude Bellingham<\/strong> has started the new season on a brilliant note, having been reinstated to his preferred role as an attacking midfielder by Mourinho. As such, the England international should retain his place in the team.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Attack<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Off to a fine start. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Kylian Mbappe<\/strong> has made a brilliant start to the season, already scoring three goals, setting the pace in the Pichichi Trophy race. The French superstar will continue to spearhead the attack for Real Madrid<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Having scored his first goal following his contract renewal, Vinicius Jr.<\/strong> will hope to exert greater influence and add more goals to his name against Malaga starting from the left flank.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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There could be a change on the right side of the attacking unit, though, with Brahim Diaz<\/strong> expected to get a look-in<\/a> after impressing Mourinho. Arda Guler will be the one to make way, but is certain to get minutes at some point in the game.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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New signing Carlos Espi, who scored the match-winning goal against Espanyol last week, will also feature in the second period.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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