Who: Real Madrid vs. Osasuna
What: Spanish La Liga
Where: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain
When: Tuesday 9pm (19:00 GMT)
How to follow: From 6 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Al Jazeera Sport will have the entire build-up before our live commentary stream of the game.
On Tuesday, Real Madrid will play at home against Osasuna in the La Liga season, starting with a game against Real Madrid in 2025-2026.
The 36-time domestic champions are gearing up for the new year with “ambitious” football and a number of new signings and fresh hope under recently appointed coach Xabi Alonso.
There is still work to be done if the megaclub wants to reclaim its La Liga title from Barcelona in the new season, as Alonso saw firsthand in his Real managerial debut at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States this summer – Paris Saint-Germain defeated Madrid 4-0 in the semifinal.
Vinicius-Mbappe challenge for Alonso
Alonso is trying to implement a 3-4, 1 formation that helped him win the 2023 Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, but it will be very difficult to do so with his two superstar forwards, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.
According to reports from the Marca newspaper, both Mbappe and Vinicius are being told to contribute more off the ball this year and set a better example for the team. Vinicius and Mbappe both scored 44 goals in their debut seasons at Real.
Alonso is reportedly concerned about some of his top players’ lack of teamwork and allegedly offensive gestures, a problem that has persisted since last season.
The club’s rumor mill will start churning once more if the two players fail to consistently connect up front in the 2025-2026 season.
Osasuna finished last season where?
The Pamplona-based club reached the Copa del Rey semifinals after finishing ninth in the league standings and winning one of their most successful seasons.
What transpired between Real Madrid and Osasuna last time?
After Jude Bellingham was sent off in the 39th minute for what appeared to be an argument with the match referee, the two teams fought out a content 1-1 draw on February 19. 10-man Real wasted a chance to retake control of the La Liga title.
Guler in, Modric out
For the first time in more than a decade, Real Madrid won’t have veteran Luka Modric, who has been a motivating force in the 2025-26 La Liga season. A team lacking some guile in midfield will be affected by the Croatian’s lack of experience and quality.
Los Blancos hope that Turkish player Arda Guler, who is just beginning his second season with the club, will be able to thrive there and develop into a player with command of the tempo.
Guler said, “The coach is trying to make us have more control over the game, and that’s better for me.”
With Bellingham, a crucial midfielder, out until mid-October, Bellingham should have plenty of chances to start playing.
Who have Real Madrid’s new signings included?
Trent Alexander-Arnold, a former England and ex-Liverpool player and widely regarded as one of the best right backs in the world, was Real Madrid’s most notable acquisition over the summer. He will almost certainly start his La Liga debut against Osasuna on Tuesday.
After signing a 50 million pound ($67 million) deal with Bournemouth on May 17, towering centre back Dean Huijsen will join the club. He is also anticipated to feature in the starting XI.
Real also signed promising Argentinian teenager Franco Mastantuono for a midfield position at Madrid along with Benfica’s Alvaro Carrera.
Real Madrid team news
According to the Osasunas, midfielder Eduardo Camavinga may miss the game due to an injury to his right ankle, the club announced on August 10.
Eduardo Camavinga has been identified as having a sprain to his right ankle, according to the 15-time European champions’ website. Madrid did not provide a return date for the 22-year-old.
Bellingham, an England international, will miss the first two months of the season despite having successful shoulder surgery.
Antonio Rudiger has received a one-game suspension that was rescheduled from the previous campaign.
Osasuna as a team news
No injuries or suspensions have been reported by Osasuna.
Victor Munoz, a promising winger who left Real Madrid for the youth system in the summer, is expected to make his Osasuna debut in the season opener against his former club.
lineups that might exist:
Real Madrid starting XI: Courtois (GK), Alexander-Arnold, Huijsen, Militao, Carreras, Guler, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr, Mbappe,
Herrera (GK), Arnaiz (GK), Boyomo (Catena), Cruz (TORRo), Garcia (Oroz), Munoz (G), Gomez (BUDImir), and Osasuna (GK) start XI:
Head-to-head:
Real Madrid has won four of their previous five games against Osasuna and drawn one more.
Real Madrid 1, Osasuna 1, February 16, La Liga
Real Madrid 4, Osasuna 0 – November 10, La Liga
Osasuna 2, Real Madrid 4 – March 17, 2024, La Liga
Real Madrid 4, Osasuna 0 – October 8, 2023, La Liga
Real Madrid versus Osasuna 1 on May 7, 2023, Copa del Rey final
Source: Aljazeera
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