Real Madrid is set to clash with Espanyol in a pivotal match on Sunday, with their La Liga title hopes hanging by a thread. A loss could dash their chances and set up a potentially awkward encounter with FC Barcelona at Camp Nou on May 10.
If Barcelona triumphs over Osasuna, anything less than a victory for Real Madrid against Espanyol would seal the La Liga title for Barcelona ahead of the El Clásico. This would entail Real Madrid players giving a guard of honor to Barcelona, a scenario that fans dread.
Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa downplayed the situation, emphasizing that his focus is solely on securing the three points in the upcoming game. Amid talks of a possible managerial change, Arbeloa stressed the importance of each match and the immediate task at hand.
Media scrutiny has intensified on Real Madrid, trailing Barcelona by 11 points and facing a title drought. Speculation about Jose Mourinho taking over from Arbeloa has emerged, but the coach remains steadfast in his commitment to the present and the upcoming game.
Arbeloa issued a stern message to some players, highlighting the team’s underperformance and the need for collective improvement. Real Madrid will be missing key players like Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappe, Arda Guler, and Thibaut Courtois due to various injuries.
Struggling Espanyol, winless in 2026, has shifted from European contention to fighting relegation, adding further pressure to the match against Real Madrid.
