| Real Madrid vs Malaga | |
| MATCH | La Liga |
| DATE | 30 - 08 - 2026 |
| TIME | 08.30 PM IST |
| STADIUM | Santiago Bernabéu |
Real Madrid vs Malaga: Match Preview and Team News
Real Madrid will be aiming to maintain their perfect start to the new La Liga season when they welcome Malaga to the Bernabeu on Sunday.
Jose Mourinho's second spell in charge of the Spanish giants has begun in promising fashion, with Madrid taking maximum points from their opening two league fixtures and moving into second place in the early standings.
Their campaign got off to a slightly nervous start with a 2-1 away victory over Espanyol. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring before Carlos Espi came off the bench to produce a decisive 90th-minute winner and secure all three points.
There was far less uncertainty in Madrid's second outing as they produced a commanding 4-1 victory against Real Sociedad. Kylian Mbappe was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick, while Vinicius Junior also found the net as Mourinho's side began to demonstrate their attacking potential.
Madrid are determined to reclaim the La Liga crown after last winning the championship in the 2023-24 season. Their early performances suggest they have more than enough attacking quality to mount another serious title challenge.
Home form should also give the hosts plenty of confidence. Real Madrid have lost just once at the Bernabeu in La Liga during 2026, making it a daunting venue for a Malaga side still adjusting to life back in the top flight.
Malaga, on the other hand, have experienced a difficult introduction to the new season. They began their campaign with a 2-0 defeat away to Atletico Madrid before earning a 1-1 draw against fellow promoted club Deportivo La Coruna.
The meeting with Deportivo carried additional significance, as both teams had been relegated from La Liga in 2018 before eventually making their way back to the top flight together. The fixture therefore represented something of a reunion for the two sets of supporters.
Malaga secured promotion after finishing fourth in the Segunda Division before navigating the playoffs. They eliminated Almeria over two legs, drawing the first encounter 0-0 at home before recording a 2-1 victory away to secure their return to La Liga after an eight-year absence.
However, their record against Real Madrid offers little reason for optimism. Madrid have won four of their last five meetings with Malaga, with the other ending in a draw. Malaga have also failed to beat the Spanish giants in their last 11 encounters, suffering nine defeats and recording two draws.
The most recent meeting between the sides came in April 2018, when Real Madrid claimed a 2-1 victory in Malaga.
Real Madrid Team News
Kylian Mbappe will once again be the main attacking threat after his outstanding hat-trick against Real Sociedad. The French forward is expected to lead the line as Madrid look to make it three wins from three.
Rodrygo remains unavailable while recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, while Ferland Mendy is nearing a return from his own ligament problem.
Eder Militao has returned to training after recovering from a serious hamstring injury and is targeting a competitive comeback after the upcoming international break.
Raul Asencio, Thiago Pitarch and Endrick remain sidelined with shin, knee and muscle problems respectively. Aurelien Tchouameni is also unavailable because of a muscle injury and is not expected to return until early September.
Malaga Team News
Malaga have several injury concerns of their own heading into their difficult trip to the capital.
Adriano Nino remains out with a thigh injury, while Diego Murillo continues his rehabilitation from a cruciate ligament problem.
Fernando Calero is unavailable after suffering a broken rib, while Moussa Diarra is sidelined with a soleus injury in his right leg.
Aaron Ochoa is facing a lengthy spell out after suffering a torn meniscus and is set to undergo surgery.
Real Madrid will enter the fixture as strong favourites given their perfect start, home advantage and impressive record in this fixture. Malaga, meanwhile, will hope their return to the top flight can provide them with the confidence needed to produce a major upset at the Bernabeu.
