Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui expects a battle against Espanyol.

Real meet Espanyol later today.

Lopetegui said, “It's set to be a very demanding game, I'm sure of it. They are a much-improved team and they're well rounded in several aspects. They've had all week to get ready for this game and we'll be forced to play very well if we want to win tomorrow. It's the toughest test we've faced so far this season at the Bernabéu.

“That's the way the fixtures fall. We've got seven games in three weeks. It's normal at a Champions League team and a club like Real Madrid. We have to go into it naturally and make the best decisions in each game, knowing the strength in depth we've got at our disposal more than ever."