Under the Champions League’s revamped 36-team league phase, Liverpool cannot host Real Madrid at Anfield. UEFA rules explicitly state that if a specific matchup is played at the same home venue for two consecutive seasons, that exact home-and-away designation cannot be repeated for a third straight year.

According to Paragraph 16.03 of UEFA’s competition regulations, the governing body’s Club Competitions Committee maintains that “any individual fixture between the same two teams may not be repeated in the same competition with the same home team for three consecutive seasons.“

Because Liverpool hosted Madrid at Anfield in both 2024 and 2025, Thursday’s league-phase draw cannot pair them in England. If the computer draw the two powerhouses together, the fixture would automatically be flipped to Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu.

In the 2024-25 UCL league phase, Liverpool beat Real Madrid 2-0 at Anfield. Last season, the Reds once again gained the upper hand with a hard-fought 1-0 victory.

Real Madrid reloading for another Champions League crown

Following high-profile roster additions like Yan Diomande and Denzel Dumfries, Los Blancos enter the campaign intent on flexing their elite star power and adding to their record trophy case.

Adding to the storyline is former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold, who joined Real Madrid in 2025. Bolavip US recently asked former Real Madrid star Steve McManaman about Alexander-Arnold‘s adaptation and expectations for the upcoming campaign.

2026–27 UCL league phase draw: Date and time

The 2026–27 UEFA Champions League league-phase draw will take place on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM ET (9:00 AM PT).

How to watch Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad in the USA

Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad will be available live in the United States on ESPN Deportes. For viewers looking to stream the game, Fubo, ESPN+ and ESPN App are the main options.

Can I watch Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad for free?

Yes! Eligible Fubo customers can currently use a 5-day free trial to watch Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad. The streaming platform’s official match page displays a “Try for free” option for this specific LaLiga fixture.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Real Madrid return to the Santiago Bernabeu for their first home game of the 2026-27 LaLiga season, facing Real Sociedad in a Matchday 1 fixture that was moved to August 26 after Los Blancos were given additional recovery time following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Jose Mourinho‘s second spell in charge began with a 2-1 victory away to Espanyol, so another three points would give Madrid a perfect start to the campaign.

For Mourinho, this is an early opportunity to show how quickly his new-look Real Madrid can establish itself. The club went into the season after two consecutive trophyless campaigns and has made significant changes to the squad, with the Portuguese manager expected to bring greater tactical discipline and structure.

Real Madrid already showed an attacking threat in the win at Espanyol, registering 15 shots and eight on target, while Kylian Mbappe was among the team’s key attacking outlets.

Real Sociedad, meanwhile, need a response after opening their league campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Real Betis. Pellegrino Matarazzo‘s side failed to score in Seville and now faces one of the toughest away assignments in Spanish soccer.

The situation is complicated by injuries, particularly at right-back, where Jon Aramburu is currently the only natural senior option available after Alvaro Odriozola‘s injury.

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad: Predicted Lineups

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Thibaut Courtois; Marc Cucurella, Dean Huijsen, Ibrahima Konate, Trent Alexander-Arnold; Federico Valverde, Bernardo Silva; Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Yan Diomande; Kylian Mbappe.

Real Sociedad (4-4-2): Alex Remiro; Sergio Gomez, Igor Zubeldia, Jon Martin, Jon Aramburu; Ander Barrenetxea, Luka Sucic, Yangel Herrera, Takefusa Kubo; Orri Oskarsson, Carlos Soler.

What time is the Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad match?

The Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad match kicks off on Wednesday, August 26, at 3:00 PM ET. The game starts at 9:00 PM local time in Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. For viewers across the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 3:00 PM
• Central Time: 2:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 1:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 12:00 PM

Espanyol, meanwhile, enter the clash riding high after a dominant Matchday 1 performance, securing a 3-0 victory over Levante. The Catalan side will look to carry that early-season momentum into Saturday’s high-stakes test against the Spanish heavyweights.

Real Madrid enter the new campaign eager to start on the right foot following a rare, disappointing season without a major trophy. The club responded with a heavy summer spending spree, headlined by the signing of Ivorian winger Yan Diomandé from RB Leipzig, one of the breakout young stars of the 2026 World Cup.

Confirmed lineups for Espanyol and Real Madrid

Boasting a revamped roster built to contend across LaLiga and Europe, Real Madrid will be eager to claim all three points in its opener, while Espanyol aim to pull off an early-season upset. Here are the confirmed starting XIs for both squads:

• Espanyol’s confirmed starting XI:
  • Goalkeeper: Marko Dmitrovic
  • Defenders: Omar El Hilali, Clemens Riedel, Unai Nunez, Roger Hinojo
  • Midfielders: Javi Hernandez, Edu Exposito, Urko Gonzalez de Zarate, Alex Calatrava
  • Forwards: Tyrhys Dolan, Roberto Fernandez

• Real Madrid’s confirmed starting XI:
  • Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
  • Defenders: Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras
  • Midfielders: Bernardo Silva, Federico Valverde
  • Attacking Midfielders: Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior
  • Forward: Kylian Mbappe

How to watch Espanyol vs Real Madrid in the USA

Espanyol vs. Real Madrid will be available to viewers in the United States through ESPN Deportes and ABC. For viewers who prefer to stream through a live service, Fubo, ESPN+ and ESPN App are some options.

Can I watch Espanyol vs Real Madrid for free?

Yes, eligible Fubo subscribers can use the service’s 5-day free trial to watch LaLiga without paying during the trial period. The platform’s current U.S. plans show a five-day free trial for its Sports + News, Core, Elite and Latino plans.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Espanyol enter Saturday’s clash with Real Madrid full of confidence after opening their 2026-27 LaLiga campaign with a 3-0 win over Levante. Roberto Fernandez scored twice in the first half before Tyrhys Dolan added a third, giving Manolo Gonzalez’s young squad an ideal start to the season.

For Real Madrid, this is more than just the second matchday. It will be their first LaLiga game of the 2026-27 season, after their scheduled opener against Real Sociedad was postponed because several players were still involved in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The trip to Barcelona therefore marks the beginning of Jose Mourinho‘s second spell in charge of the club in a competitive league match.

That makes the fixture an important early test for a revamped Madrid side. Mourinho has returned to a team expected to challenge Barcelona for the title, with major additions such as Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva joining a squad led by stars including Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham. The match will offer the first competitive look at how the new-look Real Madrid functions under Mourinho.

Espanyol vs Real Madrid: Predicted Lineups

Espanyol (4-2-3-1): Marko Dmitrovic; Roger Hinojo, Unai Nunez, Clemens Riedel, Omar El Hilali; Edu Exposito, Urko Gonzalez de Zarate; Tyrhys Dolan, Javi Hernandez, Raul Moro; Roberto Fernandez.

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Thibaut Courtois; Marc Cucurella, Dean Huijsen, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries; Bernardo Silva, Federico Valverde; Vinicius Junior, Arda Guler, Brahim Diaz; Kylian Mbappe.

What time is the Espanyol vs Real Madrid match?

The Espanyol vs. Real Madrid match kicks off on Saturday, August 22, at 3:30 PM ET. The game is scheduled for 9:30 PM local time in Spain at the RCDE Stadium. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 3:30 PM
• Central Time: 2:30 PM
• Mountain Time: 1:30 PM
• Pacific Time: 12:30 PM

And while Bellingham settled in perfectly at the Bernabeu, the same cannot be said about Trent Alexander-Arnold yet. That’s why Bolavip asked McManaman not only about Jose Mourinho‘s return to Madrid, but also about his expectations for the former Liverpool star this year.

“I think Trent Alexander-Arnold will be fine, he had a couple of injury problems last year,” McManaman responded to Bolavip during a press conference with international media outlets organized by LALIGA and ESPN.

“He never went to the World Cup and was unhappy about that, but he’s had a really good summer off, working very hard. And I think the structure with Jose Mourinho will really help. I think it will help the fact that he’ll have a right midfielder, who we think will be Yan Diomande, in front of him. I think that structure will help.”

McManaman also optimistic about Anthony Gordon’s potential at Barcelona

McManaman can relate to Alexander-Arnold, even if the former found success with Madrid earlier than the latter. Both share a strong Liverpool connection, having made it all the way to the Reds’ first team from the academy before taking their talents to La Casa Blanca.

Another fellow countryman McManaman can identify with is Anthony Gordon, even if the winger is playing for Real Madrid’s lifelong rivals Barcelona. McManaman also had encouraging words for Gordon as he enters his first season in LALIGA.

“As for Anthony Gordon, I wish him all the best, he’s from the same area where I grew up in Liverpool, he’s from an area called Kirkdale,” McManaman said. “So I wish him all the best, I know he played a couple of preseason games and he’s impressed. He’s quick, he’s strong, and the longer he stays at Barcelona, I think he’ll excell. So I wish him all the best, I hope he has a fantastic season.“

McManaman, the first English player to win the Champions League with a non-English club, has been a source of inspiration for new players moving to Spain. His comments should only give Alexander-Arnold and Gordon all the confidence they need to have a strong season in Spain.

In an exclusive interview with World Soccer Talk, Eason made it clear that Diomande will offer something Real Madrid currently lacks. “I think Real Madrid probably needs that right about now, you know? Barcelona has been dominating with the flashy players like Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, and all those other guys, and now, Real Madrid has just taken a kind of a project player that is an exciting player to watch.

“I think they can appreciate that: ‘Okay, we’re going to make some changes, we’re going to add some pieces that are going to be dynamic and a little bit different from what we’ve been in the past.'” Eason makes a valid point. The side now managed by Mourinho features highly explosive players like Mbappe and Vinicius, but it lacks that dose of youth and unpredictability that Yan can offer.

Diomande in Golden Boy rankings

Barcelona players Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, alongside Real Madrid forward Yan Diomande, lead the race for the 2026 Golden Boy award, according to the recent top 100 update published by Italian newspaper Tuttosport.

Yamal appears in second place, though he cannot receive the award again after winning it in 2024. Meanwhile, Cubarsi claimed first place after playing all eight games for Spain in the latest World Cup, where they saw the defender recognized as the best young player of the tournament.

Diomande occupies the third spot after becoming one of the main new additions to the ranking. The forward made a significant leap thanks to the level he displayed in the World Cup.

Diomande’s arrival at Real Madrid

The forward left Leipzig to join Real Madrid for $144.6 million, an amount that could rise to $162 million with add-ons. This operation stands as the most expensive transfer in the history of the club, surpassing the signing of Jude Bellingham.

Real Madrid now prepares for a season filled with high expectations. Alongside Diomande, interesting signings arrived, including Bernardo Silva, Marc Cucurella, and Denzel Dumfries. It promises to be an intriguing matchup against Barcelona in La Liga and Spanish competitions, where fans will see what Diomande is truly made of if he logs minutes against Yamal’s Barcelona.

Puyol, who captained Barcelona from 2004 to 2014, knows perfectly well what is like to face a Madrid side led by Mourinho. In his response to Bolavip, the legendary defender made it crystal clear how highly he thinks of the Portuguese manager.

“Well, we’re talking about a great manager,” Puyol said when asked by Bolavip about his memories facing Mourinho and how dangerous his return to Madrid can be for Barcelona. “I met him at Barcelona when I was young and coming through the academy, and when I made it to the first team, we could already see that he knew a lot about football.

“Then he went to other clubs, built a good résumé, and eventually arrived at Real Madrid, where Real Madrid had a very good team. We were going through a very strong period, and I remember a great rivalry and many individual battles. The Barça-Madrid rivalry is huge, but in those years, on top of that, it was Guardiola against Mourinho, Messi against Cristiano, and two great, great teams.

“So we’ll see how he does now. I still think Barcelona have a very good team and will be able to have a good season, but it’s clear that one of their biggest rivals is Real Madrid, and with Mourinho they could be stronger.”

McManaman believes that Mourinho ‘needs to finish above Barcelona’

McManaman, who made 158 appearances for Real Madrid from 1999 to 2003, has a deep understanding of the expectations surrounding Mourinho in his second stint at the club.

“He needs to win,” McManaman responded to Bolavip. “It’s simple as that. He needs to beat Barcelona, he needs to win the league. I don’t necessarily think he needs to win the Champions League, but he needs to finish above Barcelona.

“He’s been brought in because the last two years have been disappointing. So he needs just to get the best out of the players, but more importantly, it’s to finish above Barcelona. He has to do it instantly. Real Madrid can’t go three years without winning anything. So Jose has to hit the ground running and he has to be successful straight away. That’s what he’s been brought in for.”

McManaman is being realistic. Those are the standards at Real Madrid. If not, just ask Carlo Ancelotti. Carletto may have led the club to its 15th UEFA Champions League/European Cup title in 2024, yet one bad season the next year sealed his fate. Well, it was a bad season for Real Madrid’s standards. Finishing second in LALIGA and failing to win either the UCL or Copa del Rey led to Ancelotti’s departure and Xabi Alonso’s hiring in 2025.

Alonso didn’t last long though, and his replacement, Alvaro Arbeloa, couldn’t deliver major silverware either. Mourinho, who won three titles (LALIGA, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup) in his first stint in Madrid, now has to bring back glory days immediately.

Puyol, who also talked about Spain’s future, knows Mourinho’s return poses a threat to Barcelona and McManaman understands that winning the Champions League might be a tall ask, but anything less than a league title could be all she wrote for the Special One. Needless to say, this LALIGA season will be must-watch for world soccer.

How to watch Schalke 04 vs Real Madrid in the USA

Schalke 04 vs. Real Madrid will be available in the United States across several TV and streaming options. It can be watched on FOX Deportes, while Paramount+, DAZN USA, CBS Sports Golazo, Fubo and FOX One are among the available ways.

Can I watch Schalke 04 vs Real Madrid for free?

Fubo offers a way to watch Schalke 04 vs. Real Madrid for free through its 5-day free trial. The official platform currently promotes free trials for eligible users.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Real Madrid is using the visit to Gelsenkirchen as their last opportunity to fine-tune Jose Mourinho‘s squad, with the new LaLiga season beginning on August 22 against Espanyol. The Spanish side have already played a series of summer friendlies, including wins over Alcorcon and Leganes, while they also faced Ferencvaros and Deportivo La Coruna as part of their preparations.

The game is also a major occasion for Schalke 04, as the club welcomes one of Europe’s biggest teams to the VELTINS-Arena to celebrate the stadium’s 25th anniversary.

For Mourinho, the friendly comes at an important point in his evaluation of the squad. Jude Bellingham has returned to training after the World Cup, while several other international players have also recently rejoined the group.

The match against Schalke gives the Portuguese coach one final opportunity to assess his preferred setup before Real Madrid’s competitive opener, particularly with new arrivals and returning stars competing for starting roles.

There is also plenty of history between these clubs. Their most recent meetings came in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 Champions League Round of 16, when Real Madrid won both ties.

Madrid famously defeated Schalke 6-1 at the VELTINS-Arena in 2014 before completing a 9-2 aggregate victory, while the following season Schalke produced a memorable 4-3 win at the Santiago Bernabeu — although Real Madrid still advanced 5-4 on aggregate.

What time is the Schalke 04 vs Real Madrid match?

The match kicks off on Sunday, August 16, at 11:00 AM ET. The official kickoff is 5:00 PM CEST at the VELTINS-Arena in Gelsenkirchen. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 11:00 AM
• Central Time: 10:00 AM
• Mountain Time: 9:00 AM
• Pacific Time: 8:00 AM

How to watch Deportivo La Coruna vs Real Madrid in the USA

Deportivo La Coruna vs Real Madrid will be available on FOX Deportes in the United States, giving viewers a traditional TV option for the friendly. The match will also be available to stream through Fubo, DAZN USA and FOX One.

Can I watch Deportivo La Coruna vs Real Madrid for free?

Fubo offers a free trial that can be used to watch Deportivo La Coruna vs Real Madrid without paying upfront, provided the viewer is eligible for the promotional offer. The 5-day free-trial availability can vary by plan and subscriber.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Deportivo La Coruna and Real Madrid meet at ABANCA-RIAZOR on Wednesday, August 12, in the 81st edition of the Trofeo Teresa Herrera, bringing one of Spain’s most historic preseason tournaments to a close.

The match is Deportivo’s final friendly before its return to LaLiga, while Real Madrid are using it as part of their preparations for the 2026/27 campaign.

For Deportivo, the game is an especially important test against one of Europe’s biggest clubs. Antonio Hidalgo‘s side enters the match unbeaten in six preseason games, with three wins and three draws, including a 1-0 victory over Genoa to win the Trofeo Spagnolo. The Galician club has also used the summer to integrate new players while preparing for its return to Spain’s top flight.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, are approaching the final stretch of their preseason under Jose Mourinho. The club recently earned its first win of the summer by beating Ferencvaros 2-1 in Budapest, and the Teresa Herrera will be an important opportunity to continue building rhythm before the competitive season begins.

There is also plenty of history behind the trophy itself. Deportivo are the record winners of the men’s Trofeo Teresa Herrera with 26 titles, while Real Madrid are second with nine. The competition is also described by Deportivo as the world’s longest-running annual summer soccer tournament, making this meeting more than just another preseason friendly.

What time is the Deportivo La Coruna vs Real Madrid match?

The Deportivo La Coruna vs Real Madrid match kicks off on Wednesday, August 12, at 3:00 PM ET at ABANCA-RIAZOR in A Coruna, Spain. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 3:00 PM
• Central Time: 2:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 1:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 12:00 PM

In a public statement, Real Madrid expressed the following, “Real Madrid C.F., its president, and its Board of Directors deeply regret the passing of Jorge Messi, father of Leo Messi. Our club wishes to express its condolences to Leo, his family, and all his loved ones. May he rest in peace.”

During the World Cup, it was reported that Jorge Messi was dealing with some sort of health issues. Given how much Messi means to the soccer world, teams like Barcelona, where he is the biggest legend, and Real Madrid, who had many battles on the pitch with him, are sending heartfelt messages to him.

Barcelona also made a statement. “The President and the Board of Directors of FC Barcelona express their deepest condolences on the passing of Jorge Messi, father of former Barca player and legend Lionel Messi, and, on the behalf of the entire Barca family. FC Barcelona thanks Jorge Messi for his commitment to our Club, for entrusting us with the beginnings and the most glorious years of his son Leo’s football career. May he rest in peace.”

Real Madrid set their differences with Messi aside

There’s a saying that goes “soccer is the most important thing of the lesser things.” Real Madrid proved that. Soccer-wise, there is no love between Madrid and Messi, as the Argentine punished Madrid for years on the pitch. However, there are things bigger than soccer.

Barcelona focused on Jorge’s sacrifices

Messi arrived at Barcelona at a mere young age of 13. For a parent, and taking into consideration that Messi needed treatment to have a normal growth, it was not an easy decision to let him go.

As Barca said it, Jorge entrusted them with Messi and it’s safe to say that it all paid off. However, it required bravery and almost blind faith on the team to make a decision. Jorge, who always had Lionel’s best interest in mind, had to let him go, but it showed to be the right decision.

How to watch Real Madrid vs Fiorentina in the USA

Fans in the United States can watch Real Madrid vs Fiorentina live on FOX Deportes, which will provide television coverage of the preseason friendly. For those who prefer to stream the game, it will be available on Fubo and FOX One.

Can I watch Real Madrid vs Fiorentina for free?

Fubo‘s five-day free trial is an option to watch Real Madrid vs Fiorentina for free in the United States. The streaming service includes FOX Deportes in its lineup and offers a free trial for new eligible subscribers.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Real Madrid continue an increasingly demanding preseason schedule with their first international friendly of the summer, facing Fiorentina in Klagenfurt after opening preparations with matches against Alcorcon and Leganes.

The Spanish giants have also confirmed additional friendlies against Ferencvaros, Deportivo La Coruña and Schalke 04, making this clash an important step as Jose Mourinho continues to shape his squad before the start of the 2026-27 season.

Although the result will not count toward any competition, the match carries significant value. Mourinho has used the opening weeks of preseason to introduce his tactical ideas, including a return to his preferred 4-2-3-1 system.

For Fiorentina, it represents one of the marquee fixtures of its preseason calendar. Facing a club of Real Madrid’s caliber provides an opportunity to test the Viola against elite opposition before the Serie A campaign gets underway.

The Italian side will look to measure its defensive organization and attacking cohesion against one of Europe’s strongest squads while continuing to increase players’ match sharpness after the offseason.

Real Madrid vs Fiorentina: Predicted Lineups

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Andriy Lunin; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella; Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga; Bernardo Silva, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; Kylian Mbappe.

Fiorentina (3-5-2): David de Gea; Marin Pongracic, Pablo Mari, Luca Ranieri; Dodo, Nicolo Fagioli, Rolando Mandragora, Cher Ndour, Robin Gosens; Albert Guomundsson, Moise Kean.

What time is the Real Madrid vs Fiorentina match?

The Real Madrid vs Fiorentina preseason friendly kicks off on Saturday, August 1, at 12:00 PM ET. The match is scheduled for 6:00 PM CEST at Worthersee Stadion in Klagenfurt, Austria.

Eastern Time (ET): 12:00 PM
Central Time (CT): 11:00 AM
Mountain Time (MT): 10:00 AM
Pacific Time (PT): 9:00 AM