Cucurella, Brahim start in a 4-2-3-1: How Real Madrid can line up against Malaga | OneFootball

Real Madrid face off against newly-promoted side Malaga in their third fixture of the 2026/27 La Liga later today at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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

Real Madrid are among the only three clubs to have made a perfect start to their La Liga campaign, along with FC Barcelona and Sevilla.

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 shining as well.

Real Madrid’s 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.

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

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.

With that in mind, here is how Real Madrid could set up against Malaga.

Defence

Mourinho has already confirmed that one of his new signings, Marc Cucurella, 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.

First start for Cucurella. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

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

It will be a special game for Huijsen as he will come face-to-face against his boyhood club.

Meanwhile, veteran shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois will continue to guard the goal for the Spanish capital giants.

Midfield

Moving to the midfield department, in new signing Bernardo Silva and captain Federico Valverde, Mourinho seems to have found a partnership that is working well.

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

Jude Bellingham 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.

Attack

Off to a fine start. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappe 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.

Having scored his first goal following his contract renewal, Vinicius Jr. will hope to exert greater influence and add more goals to his name against Malaga starting from the left flank.

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

New signing Carlos Espi, who scored the match-winning goal against Espanyol last week, will also feature in the second period.