Real Madrid return to the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday night for their first home game of the 2026-27 season, hosting Real Sociedad in a rescheduled Matchday 1 fixture.
José Mourinho’s team began their La Liga campaign with a 2-1 win away to Espanyol, although the three points required some late intervention. With the game tied at 1-1 heading into the final moments, debutant Carlos Espí scored a spectacular 90th-minute winner to give Madrid a winning start.
Wednesday’s match was originally scheduled
for the opening weekend but was pushed back due to Real Madrid having several players involved in the latter stages of this summer’s World Cup.
The quick turnaround gives Mourinho little time to prepare for Madrid’s home opener, but it also provides an opportunity to build some early momentum. Real Madrid have won four consecutive games across all competitions and are now unbeaten in nine.
Their recent record against Real Sociedad is similarly strong. Madrid have won the last three meetings between the teams and have not lost any of the last eight. Real Sociedad’s only victory over Madrid in their last 15 meetings across all competitions came in May 2023.
The most recent encounter was particularly one-sided, with Real Madrid winning 4-1 at the Bernabéu in February. Real Sociedad have not beaten Madrid away in La Liga since 2019.
Madrid dealing with several absences
Mourinho will once again have to navigate a lengthy injury list.
Éder Militão, Rodrygo, Raúl Asencio, Ferland Mendy and Thiago Pitarch are unavailable, while Endrick has also been dealing with a muscular problem. Aurélien Tchouaméni’s availability has been in doubt because of a muscle issue.
There is also some uncertainty surrounding Jude Bellingham. The midfielder was substituted late against Espanyol and was seen with ice strapped around his ankle afterwards, meaning his condition will have to be monitored ahead of kickoff.
Marc Cucurella is among the players who could come into the starting lineup after beginning the Espanyol game on the bench. Yan Diomande, meanwhile, could again be used as an option later in the game.
Kylian Mbappé will be looking for his first goal of the new league season after failing to score against Espanyol.
Madrid’s extensive summer rebuild will also be on display at the Bernabéu for the first time in a competitive match. Diomande, Cucurella, Espí, Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konaté and Bernardo Silva have all arrived during a busy transfer window, giving Mourinho a significantly reshaped squad for his first full campaign back at the club.
Real Sociedad searching for a response
Real Sociedad arrive in Madrid looking for their first points of the season after losing 1-0 away to Real Betis in their opener.
That result extended a difficult run stretching back into last season. La Real have lost four consecutive games across all competitions and are without a victory in their last nine La Liga matches. Their last away league win came in February.
Real Sociedad finished 10th in La Liga last season but secured European football by winning the Copa del Rey, earning a place in the league phase of the Europa League.
Unlike Madrid, Real Sociedad have not made a signing this summer. They have, however, retained Mikel Oyarzabal, who remains one of the most important players in Matarazzo’s squad.
Oyarzabal started the defeat to Betis on the bench, and one of the major questions heading into Wednesday’s match is whether he is ready to return to the starting XI.
Gonçalo Guedes is back in the squad after missing the opener and preseason, although Matarazzo confirmed he is not yet ready to start. Ander Barrenetxea is also available despite experiencing discomfort following the Betis game.
Jon Gorrotxategi, Álvaro Odriozola and Pablo Marín remain out.
Real Sociedad’s travelling squad consists of Álex Remiro, Unai Marrero, Aitor Fraga, Jon Aramburu, Aihen Muñoz, Igor Zubeldia, Ander Barrenetxea, Beñat Turrientes, Orri Óskarsson, Mikel Oyarzabal, Gonçalo Guedes, Sydney Ochieng, Takefusa Kubo, Jon Pacheco, Sergio Gómez, Carlos Soler, Yangel Herrera, Arsen Zakharyan, Luka Sucic, Jon Martín, Aguirre, Beitia, Lebarbier, Carrera and Marchal.
Matarazzo: Madrid showing a “different intensity”
Matarazzo was complimentary of Mourinho’s early work at Real Madrid during his pre-match press conference, highlighting changes in both Madrid’s defensive organization and their work immediately after losing possession.
“The team is fine, it’s ready. We’re really excited about tomorrow’s match. Ander is doing well. He’s in the squad. He took a knock in Seville the other day and had some discomfort, which is why he didn’t train yesterday, but he trained today, he feels good, and he’s part of the team.”
Matarazzo also explained why he named an expanded travelling group.
“There’s some uncertainty about whether one player will be available to play tomorrow. That’s why we’re sending 25 players. We need to wait and see how things develop in the next few hours, and then we’ll decide.”
On Madrid, Matarazzo pointed to a number of differences under Mourinho.
“It’s very clear they’re a top team with several new signings, impressive signings, and a new coach. A new manager with whom you can clearly see a different structure, whether in their pressing, where they’re more organized, or in their counter-pressing, where there’s a different intensity than in recent seasons. In attack, you can also see clarity in what they want to achieve. So, of course, it’s a challenge for us, but at the same time, we believe in our quality, in our strengths, and we’re approaching the match with that conviction.”
Asked whether Guedes was ready to start, Matarazzo said:
“No, he isn’t. Gonçalo is on the list and he’s fit to be on the list, he’s fit to play, but we’ll see how much time he plays.”
The short turnaround following Friday’s game against Betis could also lead to changes.
“It’s very possible. It depends on the players, but when you only have two days of rest between matches, you definitely need to see who’s fit and which players are best suited to each game. So yes, there’s a very good chance we’ll see one or two changes tomorrow. But it will certainly be a team ready to compete.”
Matarazzo was also asked about Jon Martín potentially matching up against Vinícius Junior.
“Jonmi is always eager. He’s our warrior, ready to fight, and he’s really looking forward to the match. The last game of the season at the Bernabéu was a bit unfortunate with the two penalties, but overall he played well and had many good moments against Vini. We’ll see a great battle tomorrow.”
The Real Sociedad coach was less willing to reveal how his team intends to approach Madrid tactically.
“I prefer not to answer the question because I believe the answer gives the opponent an advantage regarding how we will play and how we will attack, and this is why I prefer that you see what happens in tomorrow’s lineup.”
On his options in the squad, he added:
“We have players with the quality to play in that position. We have them, and depending on what the game requires, whether a more offensive or defensive profile, we have them within the squad, and in fact, we could assess them tomorrow.”
Matarazzo also discussed the possibility of using Martín on the left side of the defence.
“Yes, I believe so. I think Jon Martin is a fantastic defender and can also do a very good job on the left side. He’s comfortable and secure when he doesn’t have to do anything special when playing out from the back, but if he keeps things simple when playing out from the back, he’s just as effective. And if you watched the last few games, we often built up a back three with Sergio, putting him in a position where he’s very comfortable, and it’s something we could possibly see in the future as well.”
On Gorrotxategi’s recovery:
“Gorrotxategi is growing step by step. He’s training, he doesn’t always participate in every activity, but he’s on the right track and I hope to see him in the squad very soon.”
And on Marín:
“Pablo needs a little more time. He’s progressing well. I’d say it will take between days and weeks. He hasn’t trained with us on the pitch yet, but as part of his recovery process, we could see him start training with us on the grass next week, and then possibly for the match after the Celta game.”
Possible starting XIs
Real Madrid: Courtois; Dumfries, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella; Bernardo Silva, Valverde; Güler, Bellingham, Vinícius; Mbappé.
Real Sociedad: Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Jon Martín, Sergio Gómez; Herrera, Soler; Kubo, Sucic, Barrenetxea; Oyarzabal.
Date, time and venue
Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Venue: Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
After needing Espí’s late winner to escape Espanyol with three points, Madrid will be looking for a more controlled performance in front of their home crowd. Real Sociedad arrive in considerably poorer form, but Matarazzo’s comments suggest the visitors are preparing for the changes Mourinho has already implemented — particularly Madrid’s more organized pressing and increased counter-pressing intensity.
For Mourinho’s team, the challenge is to navigate another match with a depleted squad while continuing to integrate a substantial group of summer signings. Three points would give Madrid a perfect six from six before the season begins to settle into its regular rhythm.
