Key Takeaways:
- Real Madrid will host Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu in the final fixture of the opening La Liga round
- Xabi Alonso is set for his first league match as Real Madrid manager following the end of Carlo Ancelotti’s tenure
- Osasuna have not defeated Real Madrid in their last 23 encounters, with their previous win dating back to January 2011
Season Kick-Off at the Bernabeu
Real Madrid are preparing to begin their new La Liga campaign at home, hosting Osasuna in the concluding match of the league’s first round. The side will be eager to set a different tone following a challenging previous season, during which they finished significantly behind Barcelona in the title race.
Transition and Key Changes at Real Madrid
The club endured a disappointing run last term, missing out on all major honours. Barcelona not only secured the league crown by a wide margin but also overcame Real Madrid in both the Spanish Super Cup final and the Copa del Rey final. Internationally, Madrid exited the Champions League at the quarter-final stage after defeat to Arsenal and suffered a 4-0 semi-final loss to Paris Saint-Germain at the FIFA Club World Cup. This result marked the conclusion of Carlo Ancelotti’s managerial era, with Xabi Alonso now stepping in to lead the squad. The upcoming fixture will be Alonso’s managerial debut in Spanish top-flight football.
🔥 ¡COMIENZA LA LIGA! 🔥
👉 @HP pic.twitter.com/VUk2eSDt7R— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) August 19, 2025
Osasuna’s Recent Form and Head-to-Head Record
Osasuna narrowly missed out on qualifying for European competition, finishing level on points with Rayo Vallecano but placed behind due to inferior statistics. The team concluded the last La Liga season strongly, recording only a single defeat during their final ten fixtures. Ahead of their trip to Madrid, Osasuna have completed six pre-season friendlies—registering one victory, two draws, and suffering three losses.
For Madrid, prior to the heavy defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain at the Club World Cup, the squad built an impressive eight-match unbeaten run. Under Alonso’s guidance, the players participated in just one pre-season outing, where they delivered a commanding 4-0 victory over Austrian side Tirol.
| Team | Last Season Highlights | Recent Friendlies | Manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | Finished behind Barcelona, lost in Super Cup and Copa del Rey finals, Champions League quarter-final exit, Club World Cup semi-final defeat | 1 match: Won 4-0 vs Tirol | Xabi Alonso (debut match) |
| Osasuna | Missed out on European qualification, level on points with Rayo Vallecano | 6 matches: 1 win, 2 draws, 3 losses | Lisci Alessio |
Statistical Analysis and Favourites
Statistically, Real Madrid remain clear favourites, particularly in light of their exceptional historical record against Osasuna. The Pamplona-based club have failed to record a victory in their last 23 meetings with Los Blancos, with their most recent win coming in January 2011. The hosts will also benefit from playing at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu, where Osasuna have traditionally struggled to secure points.
