According to AS, the Real Madrid coach has not set foot in the RCDE Stadium since a 1-1 draw with Espanyol in 2013. That result helped Barcelona win the title, but the score should have been 2-1 had it not been for a disallowed goal.

If he could choose a stadium for his official return as Real Madrid coach, Mourinho might not choose the RCDE Stadium. Of course, given his fierce competitiveness, he might choose the opposite. The La Liga schedule draw, along with the participation of several Real Madrid internationals in the World Cup semifinals, means Mourinho will begin his new spell in charge of Real Madrid precisely where he lost his last La Liga title. Fourteen seasons have passed, but Real Madrid and Espanyol fans will probably not forget May 11, 2013, because the result of that match benefited neither side. To be precise, the only beneficiary was Barcelona, the greatest rival in the shared history of both teams. Before that match, with three rounds left in the league, Real Madrid arrived in Cornellà needing to win, at least to delay Barcelona, coached by Tito Vilanova, from winning the title early. That title ultimately prevented Mourinho from replicating the 100 points he had achieved the previous season. No spoilers needed: Real Madrid did not win. In fact, Real Madrid might even have lost the game. Espanyol quickly took the lead when Stuani, assisted by Sergio García, scored from a corner kick. Then Varane was injured after colliding with Wakaso. Héctor Moreno quickly headed in to make it 2-0, but the goal was disallowed for a non-existent foul. In the second half, Real Madrid still had a chance to salvage the situation when Higuaín headed in from a free kick taken by Modric. For Mourinho, this match also made headlines because he excluded Pepe from the squad, with the aftermath of his dispute with Casillas still unresolved.

In addition, Mourinho also benched Cristiano Ronaldo, although the latter came on as a substitute in the second half, while Benzema did not start either. Looking back many years later, the sight of the two goalkeepers is quite interesting: Espanyol’s goalkeeper was Casilla, while Real Madrid’s was Diego López. Years later, their positions were swapped. On that Saturday night, just as now, there was nothing to celebrate in Cornellà or Madrid. However, Ganarretes, in central Barcelona, was jubilant because that 1-1 draw had already secured Barcelona the La Liga title. Espanyol, coached by Javier Aguirre, was still planning how to reach the European stage but ultimately failed to do so. Real Madrid then turned its attention to the Copa del Rey final against Atlético Madrid six days later, but it did not win that trophy either. Since then, Mourinho has never returned to Cornellà-El Prat, now known as the RCDE Stadium.

This Saturday, he will be reunited with it. What is certain is that, regardless of how Real Madrid performs in this match, they will not lose a La Liga title. Mourinho will lead Real Madrid as they begin a new La Liga journey here, while their opponent, Espanyol, have just beaten Levante 3-0 at home, making a successful start to the new season.

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