Real Madrid travelled to Espanyol on Sunday night looking to continue their 100% start to the new La Liga season.
Both teams had opportunities in what was an open first period, but Real Madrid led at the interval courtesy of James Rodriguez's first goal of the new season.
Karim Benzema then doubled Real Madrid's lead in the 71st minute as the capital giants moved above Barcelona to the top of the table ahead of next week's clash with Villarreal.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Barcelona as Espanyol welcome Real Madrid to the Cornella-El Prat. It has been a strong start to the new campaign for Real Madrid, but Espanyol are yet to find their rhythm under new boss Quique Flores, who took charge after leaving Watford at the end of last season. It should be an open and entertaining match from Spain's top flight!
Incredibly, Espanyol have now gone 17 successive league matches without beating Real Madrid, which is a run of form that includes 14 defeats and indeed, it is Espanyol's worst run against a single side in their whole history. The last time that Espanyol beat Real Madrid in the league (2-1) was in October 2007.
Real Madrid are chasing a slice of history tonight, meanwhile, as they attempt to put a 16th straight La Liga victory on the board, which would match Barcelona's run during the 2010-11 campaign. Espanyol would love nothing more than to end that run of victories tonight, but they have lost 6-0 in their last two league meetings with the Madrid giants. Some recent record that is!
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. No Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale for the away side tonight. Who has replaced the duo? Let's find out!
TEAMS!
ESP: Diego Lopez; J.Lopez, D.Lopez, O.Duarte, Sanchez; Perez, Diop, Roca, Piatti; Baptistao, Moreno
REAL: Casilla; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric, James; Lucas, Benzema, Asensio
Espanyol are without the services of Javi Fuego tonight through suspension, which has opened up a starting role for Pape Diop in the middle of the park. Otherwise it is the same team that started the 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad last time out, with Gerard Moreno and Leo Baptistao continuing in the final third of the field. Nineteen-year-old midfielder Marc Roca will make just his third league appearance for Espanyol.
As for Real Madrid, both Ronaldo and Bale are missing for the Spanish giants. Ronaldo misses out through illness, while Bale has a hip problem. Lucas Vasquez and Marco Asensio are given spots in the final third, but Karim Benzema keeps his spot, leaving Alvaro Morata on the bench. James Rodriguez and Pepe are also given their first starts of the season as Zinedine Zidane shuffles his pack.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 35 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in Barcelona. I shall talk about the home side and their start to the season a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid, who entered week four top of the La Liga table after winning each of their opening three matches – scoring nine times in the process but also shipping four goals.
Real Madrid have already secured a trophy this season after beating Sevilla in the European Super Cup and they opened their 2016-17 La Liga challenge with a convincing 3-0 victory over Real Sociedad on August 21. Then came a 2-1 home win over Celta Vigo, before Ronaldo made his return to action in a comfortable 5-2 victory over newly-promoted Osasuna at the Bernabeu last weekend.
As mentioned, Los Blancos were also in Champions League action during the week and they almost suffered a shock defeat. Indeed, Sporting Lisbon led 1-0 at the Bernabeu entering the penultimate minute of normal time, but Ronaldo levelled against his former club with a brilliant free kick, before Alvaro Morata won it in the fifth minute of added time. It was really tough on an impressive Sporting team.
As expected, Zidane was delighted with the result after the match, but there is no getting away from the fact that Real Madrid were very disappointing against Sporting, who were the better team for long spells. The statistics say four straight wins this season, however, and Los Blancos are the favourites to return to the top of the table with another three points in La Liga tonight.
Real Madrid might be 32-time winners of La Liga, but they have not lifted the title since 2012 and that is simply not good enough. They ran Barcelona very, very close last season after a brilliant last few months, but fell one point short of the Catalan outfit, who had the bragging rights once again. Barcelona, though, have already dropped three points this season at home to Alaves.
In terms of what is ahead for Real Madrid, they will welcome Villarreal to the Bernabeu in the league on Wednesday night, before travelling to Las Palmas next weekend. The month then ends with a trip to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League and that will be a key match in the context of the group. In all honesty, it will be Real and Dortmund fighting for first and second in that section.
As for Espanyol, they will enter this match off the back of a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad last weekend. They opened the new season with an incredible 6-4 defeat at Sevilla, before drawing their first home league game against Malaga. A point last weekend sees them occupy 15th in the table on two points and new head coach Quique Flores will be anxious to secure his first three points.
The White and Blues finished 13th in La Liga last season and money was made available in the summer transfer window as Javi Fuego, Jose Manuel Jurado, Alvaro Vasquez, Roberto, Leo Baptistao and David Lopez all arrived for transfer fees. Their biggest outgoing in the summer was centre-back Alvaro Gonzalez, who moved on to Villarreal for a figure in the region of £3.4m.
It is difficult to determine Espanyol's targets for the 2016-17 campaign, but they will be expected to push for a top-half finish. It has not quite happened so far this season, but they have matches against Osasuna, Celta Vigo and Las Palmas to come over the next few weeks. In truth, their results against the likes of Real Madrid are not going to determine where they finish this season.
Confirmation of the two teams tonight...
ESP: Diego Lopez; J.Lopez, D.Lopez, O.Duarte, Sanchez; Perez, Diop, Roca, Piatti; Baptistao, Moreno
REAL: Casilla; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric, James; Lucas, Benzema, Asensio
KICKOFF! Real Madrid kick things off tonight...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this match. Real Madrid are the favourites, but they are without some key players and Espanyol might well fancy their chances here.
As expected, Real Madrid have taken control of the possession in the early exchanges as they attempt to put down a marker at El Prat. Espanyol are operating with two strikers, however, and that will force Casemiro to drop between Pepe and Ramos when needed. Should be an open game tonight.
BOOKING! Ramos (Real Madrid) is booked for chopping Baptistao to the ground.
Quite a bitty game at the moment as the referee is forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. I suspect that Ramos's booking will not be the last card that we see in this match.
Some statistic...
Half-chance for the away side as Vasquez delivers a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Asensio cannot make contact and it drops behind for a corner-kick. Close to the opener here.
CHANCE! Super chance for Real Madrid as Ramos meets a swinging corner from James, but his header drops wide of the post. Two good opportunities for the visitors in quick succession.
ESPANYOL SUB! A.Vasquez replaces Piatti, who limps off the field.
It has been a good five-minute spell for Real Madrid as they continue to force the issue in the final third of the field and Espanyol are just struggling to keep hold of the ball with 11 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Espanyol to take the lead as the ball falls for Baptistao inside the Real Madrid box after a mistake from Pepe, but Casilla is on hand to make the save!
Diop breaks clear for Espanyol and looks to attack the Real Madrid box, but Casemiro is back to foul the midfielder and actually takes a kick which keeps the Brazilian on the deck. Another stoppage!
It does appear that Casemiro will be able to continue, but the story of the match thus far has been stoppages and a brilliant chance for Baptistao, who could not beat Casilla in the Real Madrid goal. Espanyol have another half-chance as it falls for Vasquez outside the box, but his effort is too high.
Real Madrid are going to have to make a change here. Casemiro has not recovered from that knock and the Brazilian hits the deck once again. Injuries for both teams in the opening 19 minutes!
REAL MADRID SUB! Kroos replaces Casemiro for the away side.
A point would be enough to take Real Madrid back to the top of the table tonight, but they will be keen to continue their 100% record at the start of the season. Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances at the moment as both teams struggle to find that elusive pass in the final third of the field.
BOOKING! Perez (Espanyol) is booked for a foul on Marcelo.
Smart period of passing from Real Madrid as they work the ball into the final third, but Roca is on hand to make the challenge and Espanyol look to break. Very tight game at the moment here.
Good grief Perez strikes a powerful effort from the edge of the box and it almost takes Ramos's head clean off his shoulders. The referee stops play while the Spaniard receives some treatment.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and we are still goalless. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but Baptistao is causing problems with his pace and power in the final third. Indeed, only a smart block from Pepe prevents the forward racing through on goal.
We have not seen too much from Benzema in the opening 30 minutes of this match and in truth, the Frenchman also struggled against Sporting in the Champions League. He is taking some time to return to fitness following a hip problem that harmed his pre-season. Espanyol are now on the front foot.
Espanyol threaten with two corners in quick succession, but Real Madrid manage to survive as Marcelo clears the first before Casilla collects the second. Real Madrid break down the other end and it appears that Vasquez will have a strike on goal, but Sanchez is back to make the challenge.
Not an awful lot happening in terms of chances at the moment as Espanyol continue to block Real Madrid's movement in the final third. The visitors are, as expected, missing Ronaldo and Bale here.
Vasquez goes down inside the Espanyol box and looks to the referee, who shakes his head. It would have been very soft indeed. Not quite happening for Real Madrid at the moment, that is for sure.
Zidane has the likes of Isco and Morata on his bench tonight and it would not be a surprise to see those two in the second period if things do not change for Real Madrid. Kroos decides to have a go from distance after putting Perez on the ground, but the German's effort was always wide of the post.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Benzema heads a super Marcelo cross into the bottom corner, but the Frenchman was just in an offside position. Very close, but it was the right call.
Benzema catches David Lopez in the face as another Real Madrid attack comes to an end.
CLOSE! Espanyol come close to making the breakthrough as Perez finds the head of Baptistao with a super cross, but the striker's header just drops wide of the far post!
BOOKING! Duarte (Espanyol) is booked for a foul on Benzema.
We are into the second of three additional minutes at the end of the first period. In truth, neither side has really done enough to deserve the lead at this stage of events. It has been very tight.
GOAL! Espanyol 0-1 Real Madrid (James)
Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the second minute of stoppage time at the end of the first period as James rides a couple of challenges on the edge of the box before finding the bottom corner with a brilliant strike. James needed that, and it is a big goal for the visitors here.
HALF-TIME: Espanyol 0-1 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 1-0 courtesy of a brilliant strike from James in stoppage time. Espanyol have had their moments and indeed a couple of brilliant chances, but James's strike is the difference at the interval tonight.
BENCH WATCH! Espanyol have already been forced into one change tonight - Vasquez taking the place of Piatti, who picked up an early injury. The hosts still have a couple more forward options, however, in the shape of Caicedo and Jose Antonio Reyes. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have also been forced into a change with Kroos replacing Casemiro, but Isco and Morata are among those still available.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid have shaded the possession with 60%, while they have had five attempts, but just one of those was on target - James's goal. Espanyol, meanwhile, have also hit the target with one of their five attempts. Three bookings to report - Ramos (3), Perez (21) and Duarte (44).
RESTART! Espanyol resume the action here...
No changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. As mentioned, both sides have already made alterations due to injuries in the first period. Big second half coming up!
You just get the feeling that Espanyol need to score the next goal tonight if they are to stand a chance of securing a positive result. It is very difficult to imagine the home side recovering from 2-0 behind against Real Madrid, with the greatest will in the world. Pretty even start to the second period.
Decent spell for Espanyol in the last couple of minutes as they pass and probe in the final third of the field, but Real Madrid are pretty comfortable defending their own box. Still 1-0 Los Blancos here.
Baptistao pulls Ramos into a wide position and it creates space for Perez down the right, but Marcelo is across to make a fine challenge and prevent what could have been a dangerous moment.
Espanyol want a penalty as Baptistao goes down inside the box under a strong challenge from Pepe, but the referee is not interested. Strong challenge from Pepe and it has left the forward on the deck!
BOOKING! Diop (Espanyol) is booked for a late challenge on Vasquez.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but Espanyol are starting to force the issue and you suspect that they will create opportunities as play develops here. The next goal - if there indeed is one - could be just massive. James's goal separates the sides tonight.
Little over 30 minutes of the second period remaining and in truth, not too much is happening at the moment. Neither goalkeeper has had a save to make since the second period started in Barcelona.
SAVE! Stunning save from Lopez as the Espanyol goalkeeper keeps out a brilliant Benzema effort, which saw the Frenchman spin and produce an over-head volley towards goal!
You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match as both teams start to commit players in the final third once again. Still at least 30 minutes to play, plenty could happen.
Perez misses the target from distance as Espanyol threaten to equalise here.
REAL MADRID SUB! Isco replaces James for the away side.
BOOKING! Javi Lopez (Espanyol) is booked for a foul on Asensio.
ESPANYOL SUB! Caicedo replaces Moreno for the home side.
Alvaro Vasquez sets up Baptistao on the edge of the Real Madrid box following a quick counter-attack, but Pepe is across to shut the door and the visitors clear their lines. Good chance there!
Bit of panic inside the Espanyol box as Benzema, Isco and Lucas all threaten to find the back of the net, but the danger is scrambled clear for a corner, which Duarte rises to clear down the field.
SAVE! Lopez pushes a low Benzema strike wide of the post.
GOAL! Espanyol 0-2 Real Madrid (Benzema)
That could be game, set and match. Real Madrid have their second of the night as Carvajal finds Vasquez and the Spaniard's low cross is fired into the bottom corner by Benzema. Brilliant finish!
REAL MADRID SUB! Morata replaces Benzema for the visitors.
SAVE! Brilliant chance for Espanyol as Caicedo's deflected effort heads towards the back of the net, but Casilla is on hand to make the save. Super stop from the Spaniard there!
Not an awful lot to report since that Caicedo chance as Real Madrid attempt to take the sting out of the game with a period of possession. The visitors, without Bale and Ronaldo, have been impressive.
Possession football from Real Madrid as they pass and probe in the final third here.
Comfortable save for Diego Lopez as the Espanyol stopper keeps out a strike from Morata, who has been lively since entering the field. Meanwhile, Espanyol are preparing to make another change.
Espanyol are struggling to get near the away side at the moment as the passes continue to happen around them. Real Madrid have been so professional and so impressive in this second period.
ESPANYOL SUB! Reyes replaces Roca for the home side here.
BOOKING! Carvajal (Real Madrid) is booked for a late foul on Duarte.
Free kick Real Madrid in a dangerous position as Diop brings Vasquez to the deck...
... Ramos tests the palms of Lopez from distance.
Duarte is fortunate to escape a second yellow card here as he fouls Morata on the turn. The Spaniard would have been through and I am very surprised that Duarte is still on the field here.
Just the two additional minutes to be played at the end of the second period.
FULL-TIME: Espanyol 0-2 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period at El Prat to a close with Real Madrid running out 2-0 winners over Espanyol as the capital giants return to the top of the table ahead of Barcelona. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the live action once again. See you again soon!
