Xabi Alonso’s two doubts for Real Madrid starting lineup against Osasuna – report | OneFootball

Real Madrid will begin their 2025/26 La Liga campaign on Tuesday, when they host Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu. This match will mark the start of Xabi Alonso’s project at Real Madrid for this season.

The Basque coach had the FIFA Club World Cup to get to know his new players and get his ideas across, before refining the team during pre-season in recent days at Valdebebas.

Alonso has also had a training match vs Leganes and a friendly against WSG Tirol to further fine-tune things in preparation for the season opener against Osasuna tomorrow.

Alonso’s two doubts

As reported by Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid boss Alonso is weighing several alternatives to form his first official starting lineup of the season.

Everything suggests that the 43-year-old coach will field a lineup very close to the one that played against WSG Tirol last Tuesday.

Federico Valverde did not feature in that game due to muscle overload, but the Uruguayan has now recovered and is expected to start tomorrow alongside Arda Guler and Aurelien Tchouameni. In principle, he would take the place of Dani Ceballos.

Brahim or Rodrygo to start vs Osasuna? (Photo by Sandra Montanez/Getty Images)

In attack, Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe are certain starters, and one of the uncertainties that Alonso faces is to decide who will partner them, if he continues with the 4-3-3 formation.

The Real Madrid coach chose Brahim Diaz against Tirol, but he has options on the bench such as Rodrygo Goes.

All indications are that Brahim has the advantage but it must be taken into account that Rodrygo scored a goal in the friendly win.

Meanwhile, new arrival Franco Mastantuono is also an option. The Argentine trained for the first time with Real Madrid last Friday. For that reason, it seems unlikely that he will start tomorrow. However, he could get his first minutes at the Bernabeu.

Another uncertainty regarding the lineup is in defence, specifically at right-back. Dani Carvajal has now recovered from his serious injury and has had some minutes under his belt.

But against WSG Tirol, Alonso opted to go with summer signing Trent Alexander-Arnold. And there is a strong possibility that the Englishman could make his first start in La Liga.