Real Madrid Predicted Starting XI vs Espanyol for La Liga Matchday 3

CM – Luka Modric

Is this a question at all? The man will turn 37 in roughly ten days, but he plays as if ten years have been chopped off his age. Even at his age, Modric is one of Real Madrid’s only indisputable starts, and no player, young or old, can replace him at this moment. In the previous game, he had a sneaky assist and a stunner of a goal, and you simply cannot show the Croatian the bench.

CDM – Aurelien Tchouameni

Tchouameni put up possibly his best performance for Real Madrid in the first game after Casemiro’s exit. He was absolutely everywhere, sprinting, tackling, and doing everything a solid defensive midfielder does. If anything, Tchouameni is just a string of solid performances away from being a sure starter in the post-Casemiro era for Real Madrid.

CM – Toni Kroos

Toni Kroos missed the previous game due to a flu but now seems to be fully recovered and should start the next game against Espanyol, after being included in the squad. His partnership with Modric will be joined by a new partner in Tchouameni, and it will be fascinating to witness how the veterans work with the young upstart for the very first time, following the departure of Casemiro to Manchester United.