Based on the demands of a packed schedule and the team’s physical needs, Carlo Ancelotti has started rotating players, as he promised weeks ago. Fran Garcia and Arda Guler started in place of Ferland Mendy and Vinicius, with Tchouameni stepping into defense, allowing Antonio Rudiger to rest. Despite some early misses from Mbappe, Guler impressed in midfield with his chemistry alongside Modric. Eventually, Vinicius came on and became the catalyst for Real Madrid’s win, bringing the much-needed energy and chaos that disrupted Espanyol’s defense.