Mourinho's Real Madrid Wins Opener 2-1 with Late Goal from Unheralded Signing Espí

José Mourinho's return to the Real Madrid bench was marked by a dramatic 2-1 victory over Espanyol in the opening match of La Liga, secured by a late goal from an unexpected source.

The winning goal came in the 89th minute from Carlos Espí, a 21-year-old forward acquired from Levante for 25 million euros. Espí, the least heralded of Real Madrid's six new signings, headed home after an assist from Kylian Mbappé, rescuing the team after Espanyol had equalized.

Real Madrid had taken an early lead through Jude Bellingham in the ninth minute, but Espanyol equalized in the 30th minute. Despite dominating possession and registering 20 shots, the team struggled to break down Espanyol's defense, underscoring persistent problems.

Mourinho acknowledged the team's struggles and the transfer market's limitations, noting that Rodri, who opted for Barcelona, would have been an ideal addition. The manager also commented on the living situation of his new signings, including Espí and Marc Cucurella, who share accommodations at the club's training facility.

Vinícius Júnior, whose contract renewal was uncertain during the break, started the match. The team's performance, despite the late win, suggests that Mourinho faces significant challenges in addressing defensive vulnerabilities and finding a reliable goal-scoring threat, even with high-profile signings like Yan Diomande, who cost 125 million euros.

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He's a very funny guy. We live together in Valdebebas, we have breakfast together, lunch together, dinner together, me, my staff, him, and Cucurella. Imagine, he's living a dream. But he doesn't work like someone who's over the moon.