Coach wearing a Real Madrid jersey in a packed stadium with the Real Madrid and Osasuna crests in the background — Xabi Alonso, the crests of Real Madrid and Osasuna, and Bernabéu in the background | Borja Díaz

Camara — Xabi Alonso, the crests of Real Madrid and Osasuna, and Bernabéu in the background | Borja Díaz

First Real Madrid starting eleven in LaLiga confirmed: these are the chosen ones

This is the bet with which Xabi Alonso makes his debut at Bernabéu as a coach

19/08/2025 19:44:00h

Borja Díaz

The (short) wait is over: Real Madrid are playing an official match again, this time in La Liga. Los Merengues will host Osasuna at Bernabéu in the first match of the domestic championship. They come into the game with little preseason in their legs due to Tebas.

However, Xabi Alonso knows that nothing but victory will do in his debut at Bernabéu. It will be his first home match since he returned to the club to take charge of the bench. For now, he isn't hesitating to put together a highly competitive starting eleven.

Two players in white uniforms celebrate with a high five on the field during a match.

Mbappé and Arda Güler shaking hands | X

With absences like Bellingham's or Camavinga's, the midfield was one of the areas with the most doubts. Tchouaméni is almost a guaranteed starter and will be joined by Fede Valverde. The question was whether Arda Güler would start in the league opener.

Just as he did in the Club World Cup, Xabi Alonso is giving the young Turk a leading role in playmaking. The ball will go through Güler, who will take on the role Toni Kroos had until his retirement. He will have help from Brahim, who comes in for Jude and will also drop into midfield.

Three-man defense or a 4-3-3

Surely one of the big questions was whether he would play with a three-man defense or opt for the 4-3-3. Against a team like Osasuna that will sit back and give the ball to Madrid, he seems to have made up his mind. He is going with three forwards, with Brahim free to drop deeper.

Two players in Real Madrid’s white uniform greet each other on the field.

Mbappé and Vinícius shaking hands | Real Madrid Confidencial

Up front, he'll be joined by Mbappé and Vinicius, who have an important season ahead. Xabi wants both of them to work well together, to complement each other in leading Real Madrid. Against Osasuna, they'll have their first big chance to show they can do it.

The last line yet to be revealed is the defense, where Courtois remains the undisputed starter in goal. Making their Bernabéu debuts are Trent, Álvaro Carreras, and Huijsen, three of the four signings made this summer. The center of the back line, alongside the Spanish international, will go to Militao, due to Rüdiger's suspension.

➡️ First Team