Jose Mourinho’s second spell in charge of Real Madrid began with a last-gasp 2-1 victory at Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday, with substitute Carlos Espi pouncing in the 90th minute to grab the winner.
Jude Bellingham opened the scoring in Los Blancos’ opening fixture of the season, and new signing Espi secured the points at the death after Alex Calatrava had levelled against Mourinho’s star-studded team.
Back in charge of Madrid 13 years after leaving, Portuguese veteran Mourinho must bring the dressing room under control after the chaos of last season, and end Spanish champions Barcelona’s domestic dominance.
Mourinho started with superstars Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Bellingham, as well as handing debuts to Bernardo Silva, Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konate.
Bellingham had an excellent first season at Madrid after arriving from Borussia Dortmund but the subsequent two were disappointing, both for him and the club, who failed to win a major trophy in either.
Mourinho installed him in attacking midfield with licence to roam and the former Birmingham man was heavily involved before his goal as Madrid probed.
The England international netted the first of Mourinho’s second era at the club, heading home Arda Guler’s dangerous crossed free-kick.
Espanyol threatened midway through the first half as Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois beat away Clemens Riedel’s drive and Roberto Fernandez hooked over shortly afterwards.
Madrid did not heed the warning and Espanyol levelled in the 30th minute, Calatrava slotting home Javi Hernandez’s cut-back after a fine team move.
Espanyol stopper Marko Dmitrovic made a good save to stop Mbappe after he got in behind on the right of the area.
The French forward, La Liga’s top scorer in both of his two seasons at the club, was not at his lethal best in front of goal.
Mourinho sent on two more new arrivals in the form of record signing Yan Diomande and Marc Cucurella as Madrid sought a winner in the final 25 minutes.
Federico Valverde hit the outside of the post with a low effort from the edge of the box as Espanyol dug deep to deny Madrid clear chances.
However in the 90th minute Madrid found the goal they needed when former Levante striker Espi, the lowest profile of Los Blancos’ summer purchases, capitalised on a loose ball in the box and fired home.
Earlier, Sevilla won 3-1 at Athletic Bilbao and Valencia and Celta Vigo drew 0-0.
AFP
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