Mourinho’s Madrid Face Early Bernabéu Test Against Real Sociedad
Real Madrid will welcome Real Sociedad to the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday as they look to make it two wins from two at the beginning of their 2026-27 La Liga campaign.
Madrid opened their league season with a dramatic 2-1 victory away at Espanyol, while Real Sociedad began their campaign with a 1-0 defeat against Real Betis. The contrasting results have added importance to the meeting in Madrid.
Madrid Begin Life at the Bernabéu
The match will be a significant occasion for Jose Mourinho, who is back managing Real Madrid and preparing for his first competitive home match since returning to the club.
Madrid secured their opening three points against Espanyol thanks to a late winner from Carlos Espí. The young forward's goal completed a comeback after Espanyol had briefly brought the match level.
Real Sociedad Looking for a Response
Real Sociedad arrive in the Spanish capital after beginning their season with a narrow defeat away to Real Betis.
The Basque side will be hoping to produce a much stronger performance at the Bernabéu, although their recent record against Madrid makes the task particularly difficult.
Real Sociedad have struggled to defeat Madrid in recent meetings and have not beaten Los Blancos since 2023.
Star Power in Madrid's Attack
Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham are expected to lead Madrid's attacking threat.
Mbappé will be looking for his first goal of the new league campaign after failing to score against Espanyol, while Bellingham and Vinícius remain important parts of Mourinho's attacking plans.
New signing Bernardo Silva is also expected to feature in midfield as Madrid continue to integrate several summer additions into their squad.
Real Madrid Team News
Madrid remain without several players because of injuries. Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Raul Asencio and Ferland Mendy are expected to miss the match.
Endrick and Aurelien Tchouameni remain doubts, while Jude Bellingham will be assessed after suffering an ankle issue during the victory over Espanyol.
Expected Real Madrid Lineup
Real Madrid: Courtois; Dumfries, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella; Bernardo Silva, Valverde; Güler, Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior; Mbappé.
Real Sociedad Team News
Real Sociedad will also have several fitness concerns heading into the match. Álvaro Odriozola remains unavailable because of a long-term knee injury.
Pablo Marín, Jon Gorrotxategi and Gonçalo Guedes are among the players who will need to be assessed before the final team is confirmed.
Mikel Oyarzabal, who came off the bench against Real Betis, is expected to return to the starting lineup against Madrid.
Expected Real Sociedad Lineup
Real Sociedad: Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Martín, Gómez; Herrera, Soler; Kubo, Sučić, Barrenetxea; Oyarzabal.
Prediction
Real Sociedad are capable of making the match difficult, particularly if they can remain compact defensively and exploit spaces behind Madrid's defence.
However, Madrid's attacking quality and home advantage make them the stronger side on paper. Their ability to create chances through Mbappé, Vinícius and Bellingham could ultimately prove decisive.
Prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Real Sociedad
What to Watch For
The main focus will be on how Mourinho balances Madrid's attacking stars and whether the team's new signings can quickly adapt to his system.
For Real Sociedad, stopping Madrid's front line while maintaining enough attacking threat of their own will be the central challenge.
A second consecutive victory would give Madrid valuable early momentum in what is expected to be a highly competitive La Liga title race.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Sports Mole, Real Madrid