The World Today
Real Madrid starts the season supported by the Bernabéu
Xabi Alonso's men want a positive start to respond to Barça against an Osasuna side that also officially starts under Lisci's orders.
MADRID, 18 (EUROPA PRESS)
Real Madrid face CA Osasuna this Tuesday in the first matchday of LaLiga EA Sports 2025-26, the first step of the new Real Madrid project led by Xabi Alonso and under the shelter of the Santiago Bernabéu, with the obligation to not fail to follow in the footsteps of FC Barcelona while searching for its identity, while the 'rojillos' want to gain confidence in the official debut of Alessio Lisci, in a venue where they have not won for more than two decades.
The Santiago Bernabéu (9:00 p.m.) kicks off the domestic competition for Real Madrid and Osasuna, in a first match delayed by the Whites' participation in the semifinals of the last Club World Cup. It will be the first match between both teams, with the Madridistas obliged to perform well, supported by their fans, to avoid their first points gap with FC Barcelona, the reigning champions who won at Son Moix in their league debut.
Real Madrid's new project is already underway with little time and little preparation, despite the goal of finding their new identity under Alonso's leadership. Due to their participation in the Club World Cup, they have only played one match behind closed doors against CD Leganés, a 4-1 victory, and another in Innsbruck (Austria) against WSG Tirol last Tuesday, which ended with a comfortable 4-0 victory, as they continue to prepare for a season that begins this Tuesday.
And the official starting XI for the new season for the Tolosa native, who returns to the Bernabéu exactly 11 years after his last game for the club at the Bernabéu stadium, will be very similar to the one he presented in Tirol, except for the inclusion of the vital Fede Valverde, who missed that match due to an overload. The Uruguayan is a regular for Alonso and will partner Aurélien Tchouaméni and Arda Güler in the starting lineup, while Jude Bellingham continues to recover from shoulder surgery.
In defense, Tren Alexander-Arnold and Álvaro Carreras appear to be back in the wing-backs, with Éder Militao and Dean Huijsen in the middle. The Brazilian and Spaniard have proven to be in good form and seem like a perfect match due to their abilities: the speed and decisiveness of the former Porto player, who was injured last year against Osasuna, and the vision and good ball-release ability of the young, former Bournemouth center-back.
Alonso surprised everyone by lining up Brahim Díaz alongside Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé instead of youth player Gonzalo García, the top scorer at the Club World Cup and the Basque national team's trump card in the tournament. But it seems he's now a step behind. The key to the Tolosa native's approach is the flexibility and constant mobility of his most attacking players.
Now they must defend their home ground on this opening day against Osasuna, who haven't made it to the Bernabéu since April 2004, their last La Liga win at Chamartín. The Whites must begin to make their poor last season's success go away with a convincing match against a Navarrese side that has only won one of its six preseason friendlies, precisely against Mirandés (3-0), the club Lisci managed last season.
However, Osasuna arrives at the Bernabéu more experienced than the home side and always demonstrates effort and commitment, now without Jesús Areso, but with the always dangerous Ante Budimir, who scored 21 goals in La Liga last season. Lisci must add his touch to a team that builds its strength on intensity and solidity.
Seeking this, the Navarrese team could play with a five-man defense, although this will limit their midfield. All this is aimed at becoming the first team in 17 years to beat Real Madrid in their domestic opener.
Lisci will have to come up with a plan to stop Mbappé, who is fresh off a two-goal celebration against Tirol and won the Golden Boot last season, as well as Vinícius, who isn't at his best but for whom Osasuna is his second favorite victim. The Brazilian has scored eight goals in 12 matches, all in La Liga, against the Reds, so he'll be looking to redeem himself in this scenario.
TECHNICAL SHEET.
–POSSIBLE LINEUPS:
REAL MADRID: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Güler; Brahim, Mbappé and Vinícius.
CA OSASUNA: Sergio Herrera; Rosier, Catena, Boyomo, Juan Cruz, Bretones; Torró, Moncayola; Rubén García, Aimar Oroz; and Budimir.
–REFEREE: Cordero Vega (C. Cántabro).
–STADIUM: Santiago Bernabéu.
–TIME: 9:00 PM/DAZN.
