Preseason friendlies: Deportivo La Coruña vs. Real Madrid—probable lineups
With just over a week to go before the start of La Liga, Deportivo La Coruña and Real Madrid will face off at Riazor on Wednesday at 9 p.m. The Galicians, galvanized by their return to the top flight after several difficult years, can’t wait to test themselves against Mourinho’s team: in their last friendly, they defeated De Rossi’s Genoa. The Blancos have won against Leganés and Ferencváros, and drawn against Fiorentina. Many stars are still absent or out of shape, but the Special One’s lineup is beginning to take shape.
Depor will field the experienced Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as center forward, flanked by Soriano and Sanchez. In midfield, Carillo plays alongside Villares and Rodriguez; in defense, Comas and Ede are the two center backs, with Angelino and Altimira covering the flanks.
Mourinho is expected to start with Endrick as center forward, supported in the attacking midfield by Brahim Diaz, Guler, and Vinicius. Lunin is in goal; Dumfries and Carreras are the fullbacks, with Rudiger and Huijsen in the center. Valverde and Camavinga are in midfield. The Special One is without several key players, who are either injured or returning later from the World Cup, including Bellingham, Mbappé, Cucurella, Diomande, Konaté, Asencio, Mendy, Militão, Rodrygo, Courtois, and Tchouameni.
Deportivo vs. Real Madrid: Probable Lineups
Deportivo La Coruña (4-3-3): Roman; Altimira, Comas, Ede, Angelino; Villares, Carrillo, Rodriguez; Soriano, Aubameyang, Sanchez
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Lunin; Dumfries, Rudiger, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Camavinga; Diaz, Guler, Vinicius; Endrick.
As for Real Madrid, the situation surrounding Endrick is the main talking point. The young Brazilian forward, born in 2006, returned to the Casa Blanca after last season’s loan stint at Lyon, determined to win over Mourinho and carve out a starring role for himself. His starting spot against Deportivo will serve as another test for the Special One, who must decide whether to rely on him even once the star players currently sidelined return to action.
