A player wearing a Real Madrid jersey smiles and points to the team’s badge while a coach sits in the background at a press conference.
Mastantuono wearing Real Madrid's jersey and Xabi Alonso at a press conference | Camara Real Madrid Confidencial
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Surprise: COPE reveals Xabi's plan with Mastantuono for the debut against Osasuna

The Tolosarra has already made a decision for the league debut with Mastantuono

by

Borja Díaz

Real Madrid will face its league debut against Osasuna this Tuesday, a season opener at Santiago Bernabéu. With hardly any preseason, Los Blancos will seek the 3 points in a match with quite a few new features. To begin with, Xabi Alonso's, but also those of the 4 signings made this summer.

Huijsen and Trent already had minutes in the Club World Cup and Carreras in the friendly against Tirol. However, they will have their chance to play with Real Madrid at Bernabéu as hosts. In Mastantuono's case, these would be his first minutes wearing the merengue jersey.

Soccer player with short blond hair smiles while pointing at the Real Madrid crest on his white jersey during the day at a training field.
Mastantuono at his presentation with Real Madrid | Real Madrid Confidencial

Although there were doubts about whether he would get minutes, since he started training with his teammates last Thursday. Nevertheless, COPE has revealed Xabi's plan for Mastantuono, something Defensa Central has confirmed. To begin with, he doesn't plan to include him in the starting eleven.

However, he does intend to give him minutes throughout the match, in the second half. He wants him to gradually accumulate minutes to gain match fitness. Above all, so he can get used to his teammates and the team's routines.

Doubts about Franco Mastantuono's debut

In recent hours, Barcelona fans have focused on Franco Mastantuono and his possible debut. They claim that the law could be bypassed if the Argentine gets minutes against Osasuna. All this because of the registration of the former River player with a Castilla contract by choosing the number 30.

Two players are training on a grass field; one wearing a green bib controls the ball while the other in an orange bib approaches to defend.
Mastantuono during a training session in Valdebebas | Real Madrid

They claim this is a move by Real Madrid to keep a free spot in case they want to sign someone. Although it was Mastantuono himself who confessed that he would have asked Florentino for it. He wanted to keep using the same number he wore at River.

Culés have used this, perhaps to cover up the scandal that happened in Mallorca – Barça. This Saturday, culés were favored in all the controversies that occurred in their league debut. Including a forgiven red card and a goal awarded with an opponent on the ground after being hit in the head by the ball.

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