It only remained Real Madrid to conclude this first day of Liga. Three days after the inaugural victory of FC Barcelona at Mallorca (3-0), the new face of Casa Blanca with Xabi Alonso at its head was finally revealed with the reception of Osasuna. Little information filtered before the meeting since Real competed in one friendly in preparation (4-0 against WSG Tirol). However, there have been many changes this summer between the sidelines and the 4 new recruits arrived. 3 of them started in the eleven, Alexander-Arnold, Huijsen and Carreras. In this team articulated in 4-3-3, Arda Güler also started in support of Mbappé, Vinicius Jr and Brahim Diaz.
We didn't really know what to expect before this kick-off with this Real New-Look. Quickly, Xabi Alonso's men confiscated the ball to observe a seat too far from the opposing goal. The first strike, 20 meters, came from Carreras (7th) and missed it. We went overall from the left side to where a pretty duel between Vinicius and Rozier was being closed. All of this was generally lacking in rhythm and coordination. The Madrid were too often static and forced to demand the ball in the feet. Inevitably, there was not enough movement to destabilize a well in place but harmless team. The merengue pressing had nothing to give satisfaction either.
Mbappé, only clear
He was too regularly at the initiative of a player or two but never followed by the rest of the block. As you can see, this first half was disappointing, just raised by a few flashes of Mbappé, author of a hole outdated (34th). Conversely, Budimir passed a slight thrill in the defense of Real (42nd). Despite the ambient lethargy, Xabi Alonso left with the same eleven in a second period, quickly animated by Mbappé. Its acceleration in the surface forced Juan Cruz to the fault. He did justice himself on penalty (1-0, 51st). The Frenchman was increasingly showed and asserted himself as the player to follow of the evening.
There was this new breakthrough on the right with this cord center for Vinicius, whose recovery was countered in extremis (57th), then this series of dribbles which made Santiago-Bernabéu rise (66th). A very skinny assessment all the same. The entry of Mastantuono (68th), very applauded by his new audience, did not have the gift of waking up his team. Worse still, Real did not go to the pressing at all once the ball is lost, against what Xavi Alonso wants to set up. Real even played to be (a little) afraid with these two frights in the surface (85th, 87th), without consequences. Mastantuono in turn illushed on this closed angle shot (89th). The Casa Blanca ended up winning 1-0 against Osasuna which finished ten following the Bretone Red (90th+4) and took 8th place in Liga. Xabi Alonso will no doubt be satisfied with victory tonight.
