Football/ Real Madrid struggle but secure narrow 1-0 victory
For their first match with a revamped squad, Real Madrid under Xabi Alonso delivered a mixed performance against Osasuna. The opening half was disappointing, with Los Blancos keeping possession but failing to create real danger. The team lacked rhythm and coordination, often remaining static and predictable.
On the left wing, Vinicius and Rozier offered an entertaining duel, but Madrid’s pressing was ineffective and far from Alonso’s expectations. Only a few flashes from Kylian Mbappé, including a curled shot that missed the target, brought some excitement to an otherwise dull 45 minutes.
The second half, however, had more intensity. Just six minutes after the restart, Mbappé accelerated into the box, won a penalty, and calmly converted it to give Madrid the lead. The Frenchman then multiplied his efforts with dribbles and dangerous runs, lifting the atmosphere at Santiago Bernabéu. Vinicius nearly doubled the score on one of his crosses, only to be denied by a last-second block.
Despite these sparks, Madrid struggled to press effectively once losing possession, leaving room for Osasuna to create a few late scares. The debut of Mastantuono was warmly welcomed but made little impact. In the end, Real secured a 1-0 win—thanks to Mbappé—but without fully convincing.
