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Espanyol will face a significant defensive absence when they travel to face Real Madrid this weekend in La Liga action. The club’s veteran center-back Leandro Cabrera remains unavailable due to a suspension that carried over from the previous season, despite the organization’s efforts to have the ban overturned.
The 35-year-old defensive stalwart was absent from Espanyol’s opening fixture of the 2026/27 campaign, which saw the Catalans secure an impressive 3-0 victory over Levante. Roberto Fernández netted twice during the first half, while English forward Tyrhys Dolan added a late third goal to cap off a commanding home performance for the team under manager Manolo González.
Cabrera’s suspension spans three matches, meaning his unavailability will extend beyond the Levante match. According to reports, barring any unexpected developments, the experienced defender will also sit out the upcoming Madrid encounter. The defensive enforcer had been a regular fixture for Espanyol throughout the previous league season, missing only one match.
The timing of Cabrera’s enforced absence presents a considerable challenge for Espanyol as they prepare to take on one of La Liga’s heavyweight sides. The club will need to arrange alternative defensive arrangements for their visit to the Spanish capital.
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Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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