Real Madrid shows strong resilience to win... and Barcelona is watching.

Arabian Sea Newspaper - Special

**Arab Gulf - Follow-ups:** Real Madrid aspires to continue its perfect start under its new coach Xabi Alonso, and to strengthen its winning streak in the Spanish League, when it hosts the brilliant Espanyol on Saturday in the fifth round, while defending champion Barcelona seeks to capitalize on any stumble by its traditional rival when it faces Getafe on Sunday. In the first match, the Royal Club finds itself facing Espanyol, which is one of four teams that have not yet lost in the league this season, although it has not won against Real on its home ground since 1996. Real is the only team that has won its first four matches in "La Liga" before being able to beat French side Marseille 2-1 to start its Champions League campaign positively. "It's just the beginning," said Alonso, considering that his team is still in the process of improving and finding its proper rhythm. The young Spanish coach added: "We are developing, and the players have begun to feel that there is a clear goal," and continued: "We are on the right track, and our situation after three months will be better than what we are now." Real showed great resilience in winning against Marseille despite the expulsion of Dani Carvajal after a headbutt, just days after completing the match against Real Sociedad with ten players for a full hour after the expulsion of defender Dean Huijsen. Alonso is expected to make changes to his lineup, and kept his Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior on the bench during the match against Marseille, but he is likely to return him to the starting lineup on Saturday. "There will be moments for everyone, no one should feel offended if they sit on the bench," said Alonso. One player who is likely to retain his starting place in the lineup is French star Kylian Mbappe, who has scored four league goals in a stunning start. After his two penalty goals against Marseille, Mbappe raised his tally to 50 goals in the Madrid club's shirt since joining it in 2024. Real will be without England's Alexander Arnold after suffering a hamstring injury, but his compatriot Jude Bellingham and France's Eduardo Camavinga will finally return after a period of absence. The two players were chosen in the official lineup for the match against Marseille, but they did not participate on the field, after the Spanish capital club had to fight for the three points. Espanyol will be a considerable obstacle for Alonso's men, after the strong start of coach Manolo Gonzalez's team. For its part, the obscure Catalan club started the season with a remarkable victory over Atletico Madrid, before defeating Osasuna and Real Mallorca and drawing with Real Sociedad, to occupy third place in the overall standings with 10 points, equal with Barcelona and two points behind leaders Real. Espanyol striker Javi Puado said: "Real Madrid is a very difficult team, especially at its stadium, but we were able to beat them last season at our stadium." He added: "Everyone is moving in the same direction: the club, the fans, and the players, and this may be a very good season." He continued: "We will not rush too much, as the season is still in its early stages after only four matches, but if we have performed well so far, this means that we are able to continue at the same level." On the other hand, Barcelona seeks to continue its pressure on Real when it hosts Getafe on Sunday, in its second match at its training ground "Johan Cruyff Stadium" pending obtaining the necessary permits to return to the renovated "Camp Nou". Coach Hansi Flick's team seeks to build on the double by its English striker Marcus Rashford, which led it to win 2-1 away from home against English side Newcastle in the start of the Champions League on Thursday. After its 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano, the Spanish champion quickly responded with two clear victories; one of them against Valencia with a clean six last week. Player under the spotlight: Rafa Mir Newly promoted Elche has made an excellent start to the season thanks to the brilliance of Rafa Mir, who has scored three goals so far. Elche and Mir have a great opportunity to renew their brilliance against Real Oviedo, also newly arrived in the elite league, when the two teams meet in this round.