sportsblogin.com@gmail.com 
Real Madrid Start the New Era with Xabi Alonso
The new La Liga season opened with excitement as Real Madrid took the field at the Santiago Bernabéu under their new coach, Xabi Alonso. This was more than just the regular opening game; it was the beginning of a shift from the finishing days of Carlo Ancelotti. In a thrilling twist to his own career, Alonso was back at Madrid in a role that evoked nostalgia and pride, a former midfield genius now directing a team from the sidelines. He reflected that it was something he would never forget, a claim further realized by the result. Real Madrid provided a 1-0 win over Osasuna, which was neither thrilling nor eye-catching, but was professional, informed, mature, reflective of controlled game management, the importance of patience, and it had elements that bode well for the future project.
Real Madrid and the Patience of the First Half
The first half displayed exactly what Alonso’s team would come up against this season: organized teams willing to defend compactly. Osasuna, who finished ninth last season, dropped deep and compact and rejected Madrid the opportunity to break them down. The only semblance of threat came on the counterattack from distance, with Dean Huijsen and Éder Militão both taking shots from distance and Osasuna’s solid goalkeeper, Sergio Herrera, dealing with those comfortably. Kylian Mbappé, the star of the summer and top goal-scorer in the league season, also had half chances. On one occasion, Vinícius Júnior found him in the area, but the connection was poor, and he snatched at it. Minutes later he curled a second air-shot wide. Ultimately, for all Madrid’s possessions, stunningly, the score remained 0-0 at half-time.
Real Madrid Breakthrough by Mbappé
The decisive moment came in the 51st minute. Mbappé sprinted into the box with his usual pace and footwork. As he tried to cut inside past defender Juan Cruz, he went down after being clumsily challenged. The referee pointed to the spot quickly. The Bernabéu stadium erupted as Mbappé picked up the ball with complete nonchalance. Faced with Sergio Herrera, who was standing on the line, Mbappé was under no pressure. After a brief stutter in his run-up, Herrera had moved in the opposite direction as Mbappé placed the ball into the corner without any trouble. It was a simple penalty, but it was meaningful: Real Madrid finally had a goal for the season, and of course it was from their star player.
Real Madrid Introduce New Faces to the Fans
Outside of Mbappé’s moment, this match was about integration. Madrid had three new signings making their La Liga debuts. Trent Alexander-Arnold (from Liverpool) was on the right, providing width and passing accuracy at right back. Dean Huijsen (previously of Bournemouth) alongside Militão in the middle, showed some composure under pressure. From the left, Álvaro Carreras provided balance and kept Osasuna’s wide players in check. In the second half, Alonso gave a debut to 18-year-old Argentine winger Franco Mastantuono. Mastantuono was excited, dribbling confidently and bringing Herrera into action with a late save. This was a statement that youth was a part of the future of the club, not simply the marquee stars.
Real Madrid Maintain Control Until the End
After establishing an early lead, Madrid managed the tempo and control. Osasuna remained somewhat threatening, but Ante Budimir’s header was the only chance that momentarily rocked the home supporters. The visitors finished the match with ten men when Abel Bretones received a straight red card for swinging an arm to block Gonzalo García in stoppage time. The dismissal reflected Osasuna’s frustration. Taking nothing away from the goal, the clean sheet is just as important for Real Madrid. A solid defensive display underlined Alonso’s early emphasis on the structure. With Aurélien Tchouaméni alongside Arda Güler in the midfield, Madrid had the energy and discipline to keep Osasuna away from the danger zones.
Real Madrid Turning the Page from Last Season
This victory represented so much more than three points. It epitomized a fresh start after last season’s lets down as Real Madrid lost La Liga and the Champions League under Ancelotti which meant finishing the season with no major trophy. The pressure to respond quickly to this was enormous and the appointment of Alonso brought with it new hope. More than a penalty, Mbappé’s goal was a statement. The French superstar, who already became a fan-favourite, is expected to shoulder much of the attacking burden this season. The crowd consumed the moment as a fresh start, the start of Madrid’s quest to reclaim lost crowns.
Real Madrid Face a Challenge Against Barcelona
The reigning champions, Barcelona, are up next. Barcelona won the La Liga title under Hansi Flick last season, as well as the Copa del Rey and Supercopa, securing the domestic treble. They start the new season as favorites, with a squad that combines experience with up-and-coming talent. For Real Madrid, this win over Osasuna was the first of many to come to dethrone Barcelona. This rivalry could once again prove to be the dominating head-to-head throughout the season. While Barcelona already looks strong, Real Madrid needs to find some consistency and get back to winning ways; they have no room for error, and narrow wins like they had here may prove crucial in the title race.
Real Madrid Building Stability without Bellingham
One of the key challenges for Alonso is coping without Jude Bellingham, sidelined until October after shoulder surgery. His absence removes creativity and goal threat from midfield. Against Osasuna, Tchouaméni stepped up with authority, while Güler’s energy filled some of the gaps. Yet the team clearly missed Bellingham’s ability to dictate attacking transitions. Alonso will rely on discipline and collective effort until Bellingham returns. The integration of new signings and the growth of younger players like Mastantuono may help bridge the gap. This match showed that while the squad is adjusting, the balance between experience and youth looks promising.
Real Madrid Tactical Lessons from the Match
There were a few tactical points you could see through this match. Firstly, Alonso wants his full-backs to be aggressive, namely, he wants Alexander-Arnold tucking in and dictating play as he does in England. Secondly, Madrid will press high if they can, though in the first half they were mostly passing the ball side-side against Osasuna’s low block, and only when they were able to draw the shape high up. Thirdly, Alonso used substitutes to keep the intensity up to make sure players in attack and midfield were as fresh as possible in the final moments of the game. These small changes do hint that Alonso is building his Real Madrid assembly in a measured way. It will take a few weeks for the team to play with fluidity, but the groundwork is happening.
Real Madrid Look Ahead with Confidence
It gives Real Madrid a great lift. Clean sheet, three points, a goal from their biggest star, new players debuting, and professional. It was not brilliant, but it was effective; and that’s sometimes-what champions are all about. Bigger tests will come in the form of more away fixtures and direct competition in Atlético Madrid and Barcelona. This game began to show what Madrid are all about; they are ready to fight for wins, even if they are still refining their style. Let there be no mistake: with Barcelona as reigning Champions, they have a huge challenge ahead. But beginnings matter, and this was the one they wanted. Their road to glory will not be plain sailing, but with Alonso in charge, and Mbappé at his best, Madridistas might begin to believe again.
