Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano: squad announced with five players returning!

After two unconvincing displays, José Mourinho is expected to reshuffle his XI against Rayo Vallecano

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Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano: squad announced with five players returning!

12.09.26 15:00 LaLiga Spain

Real Madrid

Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid will look to bounce back in La Liga against Rayo Vallecano, with several returns and a first start expected for Yan Diomandé.

Real Madrid return to La Liga action on Saturday, September 12, when they host Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Merengues were beaten 1-0 by Real Betis in their previous league outing before edging Inter Milan 2-1 in the Champions League without fully convincing in terms of performance. José Mourinho is therefore expected to make several changes to his starting XI.

The most notable one could involve Yan Diomandé. The young Ivorian winger is being tipped for his first start with Real Madrid, with Mourinho looking for more pace and directness in the final third after two matches in which his side lacked fluidity at times.

Several important players return

The Portuguese coach also welcomes back a number of players. Andriy Lunin, who missed the Inter game because of flu, is back in the squad. Raul Asensio also returns from injury, while Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Güler and Bernardo Silva are available again after serving European suspensions.

Kylian Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Endrick are all included as well. Mourinho therefore has a much deeper squad at his disposal as Madrid look to regain momentum. They currently sit third in La Liga with nine points from four games, having won three and lost one.

📋✅ ¡Nuestros convocados!
🆚 @RayoVallecano pic.twitter.com/vcvSLG2DHO
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 11, 2026

Barcelona already three points clear

The pressure is already building because Barcelona have a perfect 12 points from 12 and hold a three-point lead over their biggest rivals. The Catalans have also made an explosive start in attack, scoring 17 goals while conceding only two.

Barcelona travel to Levante on Sunday, September 13 at 16:15 French time, while Real Madrid face Rayo a day earlier at 21:00 French time. A victory is therefore close to essential for Mourinho’s side if they want to remain within touching distance of the leaders.

After defeat to Betis and an unconvincing European win over Inter, the Madrid derby against Rayo already looks like an important test for Mourinho and the adjustments he wants to introduce.