Overview
Deportivo finished second in Segunda Division last season, thereby winning the right to return to La Liga 2026-2027. This is the first time this team has participated in the highest league in Spain since 2018.
The recent years have been difficult times for Deportivo as they have had to play in the third division in 4/6 recent seasons. However, the blue and white team is facing the opportunity to open a new chapter in La Liga.
Coach Antonio Hidalgo's team has played 6 friendly matches this summer, winning 3 and conceding 3 defeats. In the most recent match, Deportivo defeated Genoa 1-0.
The confrontation with Real Madrid will close Deportivo's pre-season preparation process. They will start their La Liga campaign with a match against Elche.
Deportivo is also active in the transfer market when recruiting 7 new players, while 6 others have left the team. Therefore, the appearance of this team in the season returning to La Liga will have many changes.
On Real Madrid's side, the Royal team played 3 friendly matches, winning 4-1 against Leganes, drawing 2-2 with Fiorentina and defeating Ferencvaros 2-1.
Coach Jose Mourinho's team still has 2 friendly matches with Deportivo and Schalke 04 before entering the 2026-2027 La Liga season with a away match at Espanyol's stadium.
Real Madrid also added 6 rookies in the summer of 2026, including Yan Diomande, Marc Cucurella, Carlos Espi, Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva.
The Madrid team also successfully extended the contract with Vinicius Junior, who was rumored to be likely to join Arsenal.
Real Madrid finished last season in second place and will be determined to regain the La Liga title from Barcelona. Mourinho's return to the coaching bench also makes the Royal team's new season more anticipated.
Personnel situation
Deportivo is likely to arrange Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to play highest in the attack. The 37-year-old striker joined the team this summer and may take on the main role in the match against Real Madrid.
Newcomer Leo Roman is expected to start in goal, while Arnau Comas is likely to be present in defense. However, Deportivo will not have the service of David Mella due to injury.
On Real Madrid's side, rookie Yan Diomande can debut from the bench.
Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Raul Asencio and Rodrygo continue to be absent due to injury. Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham, Marc Cucurella, Kylian Mbappe, Ibrahima Konate and Aurelien Tchouameni are unlikely to have played yet because they have just returned to training.
However, Real Madrid can still use many familiar faces in the starting lineup. Endrick is expected to play highest in attack, while Vinicius Junior is likely to start after coming on as a substitute in the match against Ferencvaros.
Expected lineup:
Deportivo: Roman, Altimira, Comas, Ede, Angelino, Villares, Carrillo, Rodriguez, Soriano, Aubameyang, Sanchez.
Real Madrid: Lunin, Dumfries, Rudiger, Huijsen, Carreras, Valverde, Camavinga, Diaz, Guler, Vinicius, Endrick.
The match between Deportivo and Real Madrid takes place at 2:00 a.m. on August 13 (Vietnam time).
