The ex-Blackburn winger facing Mourinho and Real Madrid

What the report says

Tyrhys Dolan, the Manchester-born winger who spent five years at Blackburn Rovers before joining Espanyol last summer, is preparing for one of the biggest tests of his career as the Catalan club host Real Madrid on Saturday in La Liga. BBC Sport reports that the 24-year-old has made a strong start to his second season in Spain after scoring in Espanyol’s opening-day win over Levante.

Dolan said he is treating the match as a major occasion but not something that should alter Espanyol’s normal approach. He described Real Madrid, now led by Jose Mourinho, as a team that will not take the game lightly, and said his focus is on preparation and routine rather than adding extra pressure. The game could also put him on the same pitch as England internationals Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The article says Dolan views his first year in Spain as a period of growth on and off the field, with the move away from English football helping him become more self-reliant and improve parts of his game, including decision-making and crossing. He now feels greater responsibility within the squad, having made more than 30 appearances last season.

For Espanyol, the visit of Real Madrid is also a chance to measure their ambitions after a positive start. Dolan said the team believe they can target a place in the top six, while adding that the club will need to be sharper defensively because Real are likely to punish mistakes. He also said friends and family will be in the stands for the match at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona.