Real Madrid and Osasuna conclude the first match day of La Liga EA Sports 2025-26 and mark the official debut of Xabi Alonso as head coach of the Spanish giants. The Basque coach will start with a very well -known start XI, in which Federico Valverde returns to action despite five important absence: Ferland Mendy, Antonio Rüdiger – suspended after his red card in the Copa del Rey Final – Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham and Endrick.
There had been some uncertainty about the system, but Alonso has now made clear: the 4-3-3 is his favorite setup. In that form, Thibaut Courtois starts in Doel, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Éder Militão, Dean Huijsen and Onlex Jiménez Carreras that form the back line. Rüdiger misses the last match of his suspension of six games after he was sent to Barcelona on 26 April in the Copa del Rey final.
Valverde returns
The most important change in midfield is the return of Valverde, one of the four captains of the team, who was the Tyrol -friendly with a right leg load. In addition to him, Arda Güler will be, whose future in Madrid increasingly seems to be bound by a deeper role in midfield, although he can also operate on the right wing if necessary. Aurélien Tchouaméni completes the trio and forms what it seems to be that Alonso's first choice is in the middle.
At the front is the only question mark on the right wing. Brahim DÃaz stands in line for his second consecutive start, after the Austrian -friendly. With Rodrygo who is still fighting to reclaim his place and just arrived Franco Mastantuono, the Málaga -born attacker was able to see longer minutes while pushing to settle early in the season.
Xabi Alonso's likely XI for Real Madrid vs Osasuna
In summary, the starting line -up of Madrid is expected to be:
Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Militão, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouaméni, Valverde, Güler; Brahim, VinÃcius JR, Mbappé.
The game is played in the Santiago Bernabéu.
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