Real Madrid received their La Liga title on Tuesday evening on a winning start at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Kylian Mbappe to thank for the three points. Xabi Alonso will have seen some positives in the first half, but also some considerable tasks to tackle in the coming years.
Los Blancos started a positive start, dominated the ball and choked an Osasuna side deep in their own half. Their work of the ball was the most striking part of their game, with Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Arda Guler all involved in the hunting efforts. Yet it was also true that they came closest to the long -distance efforts from Dean Huijsen, one of Real Madrid's most impressive at night, and Eder Militao.
That was partly to a strong defensive effort by Los Rojillo, who were present to block and be firm in the way of each attack. Especially Enzo Boyomo and Valentin Rosier found Vinicius' efforts to make something happen.
The match was decided shortly after the break, when Mbappe drove the box and after a return was taken down by a hasty challenge from Juan Cruz. Mbappe stepped up and easily repented against Sergio Herrera from the place, giving Los Blancos the lead.
What did not follow was similar control of Real Madrid, where the game opened and Osasuna got more joy in their half, as the legs of Los Blancos tired in the press. Alonso sent Dani Carvajal to take the bracelet of the captain and Franco Mastantuono to make his debut, where the last one forced a neat rescue from Herrera – while Rodrygo is viewed from the couch.
However, Osasuna's late urge for an equalizer, such as the pressure of Real Madrid, never really came from the second gear. Their best chance was clearly led by Gonzalo Garcia under his own bar, and eventually Thibaut Courtois had his quietest night in a while. Abel Bretones was shown a late red for a coming together with Garcia, the last line in the piece.
Mbappe was the best of the party for a Real Madrid side that briefly looked on fitness, but in the first place organized defensively. In the meantime, Alessio Lisci will feel that the reliability of his team was also positive, but perhaps the recklessness of the fine given to Mbappe will regret.
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