Vinícius Aims to Extend Dominance Over Espanyol in LaLiga

Vinícius rolls into the RCDE Stadium with history – and numbers – on his side.

Real Madrid finally launch their LaLiga season on Saturday evening away to Espanyol, after their opening fixture against Real Sociedad was postponed. It means all eyes go straight to a ground where one man in white has made a habit of deciding games.

Vinícius, the repeat problem for Espanyol

The Brazilian arrives in Barcelona in full flow and with a particular liking for this opponent. Opta data shows Vinícius has scored 5 goals in 11 LaLiga meetings with Espanyol, three of them at the RCDE Stadium, the venue for tonight’s clash.

No team in the competition has conceded more away goals to him. He has also hit three goals at three other grounds, but Espanyol have felt the sting more often than anyone when he turns up as a visitor.

For a side still looking to settle into the new campaign, that is a worrying pattern. For Vinícius, it is familiar territory.

Roberto Fernández finds his moment

On the other side of the pitch, Roberto Fernández brings his own hot streak into the game.

The Espanyol forward has scored 3 goals in his last two LaLiga appearances – already one more than he managed in his previous 22 league games combined. That run includes his second brace in the competition, delivered in the last round against Levante.

He is suddenly the man carrying Espanyol’s attacking weight. If the hosts are to keep pace with Madrid’s firepower, Roberto’s form cannot cool now.

Mourinho’s perfect record, González’s problem fixture

On the touchline, the numbers tell two very different stories.

José Mourinho has never lost to Espanyol in LaLiga. During his first spell in charge of Real Madrid, he faced them six times in the league and walked away unbeaten: 4 wins, 2 draws. He has not enjoyed a longer undefeated run against any other opponent in the competition, though he also reached six games without defeat against five other sides.

For Manolo González, Real Madrid have been far less forgiving.

The Espanyol coach has lost 3 of his 4 LaLiga matches against Madrid, winning just once. Only Barcelona and Villarreal have beaten him more often in the competition, with 4 defeats each. Real Betis, like Madrid, have also handed him three losses.

So the pattern is clear. Vinícius likes this stadium. Mourinho likes this fixture. González, very clearly, does not.

Now comes the question that will define Espanyol’s night: does the weight of history hold, or does someone finally tear up the script?