Real Madrid begin their 2025/26 La Liga campaign on Tuesday, August 19, when they host Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu (kickoff 3 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. local time). The fixture marks the competitive debut of Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid’s head coach, ushering in a new era at the Spanish giants.
Softfootball reports that the former Madrid midfielder takes charge after a turbulent summer in which the club’s request to delay their league opener was rejected. Madrid have had just one warm-up friendly since their 4-0 defeat to PSG in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final, leaving Alonso with limited preparation time; the coach even had to urge the fans and everyone associated with the club to be patient.

Real Madrid posted a video of the team’s dressing room via its official X handle.
Watch the video below:
The new coach will nevertheless look to set the tone for the season with an emphatic home display, especially after Barcelona opened their campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory. Madrid boasted last year’s strongest home record in La Liga (W16, D1, L2), and their supporters expect nothing less than three points.
Alonso faces several notable absences. Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Ferland Mendy, Endrick, and Antonio Rüdiger are all sidelined through injury or suspension. Even so, the lineup retains star quality.

Thibaut Courtois is set to start in goal behind a defence featuring new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Éder Militão, and Fran Carreras. Midfield options include Arda Güler, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Valverde. Up front, Madrid can still deploy a world-class trio of Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappé, and Brahim
Real Madrid has already posted its starting XI via its official X handle ahead of the much-anticipated opener.
Real Madrid’s starting XI:
Osasuna arrive under new head coach Alessio Lisci, who impressed last season guiding Mirandés into the Segunda División play-off finals. His new side finished ninth in La Liga last term, narrowly missing out on European qualification due to their inferior head-to-head record against Rayo Vallecano.
Osasuna also posted their starting XI via their official X handle.
Osasuna Starting XI:
The club has endured a quiet summer transfer window, their most notable signing being Víctor Muñoz from Madrid’s youth ranks. Lisci’s greatest task will be improving Osasuna’s away form after they recorded just two league wins on the road last season, though their league-high 10 away draws suggest they are difficult to beat. Ante Budimir is expected to spearhead their attack in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last 20 league meetings with Osasuna (W14, D6). Madrid have not lost on the opening day of La Liga in 16 consecutive seasons (W11, D5). Osasuna drew more games than any other La Liga side when conceding first last season (D9). Nine of Osasuna’s last 13 away matches saw under 2.5 goals scored.
Madrid’s absentees leave Alonso with a thinner squad than ideal, but the combination of Mbappé and Vinícius, should provide enough attacking firepower to break down Osasuna’s defensive resolve. The visitors may attempt to frustrate and counter, but their poor away record and Madrid’s Bernabéu dominance suggest a difficult evening in the capital.