Kicking off the season with a victory and a goal from Kylian Mbappe, it felt like nothing changed from last season for Real Madrid, but that’s where the similarities ended. Xabi Alonso is at the helm, managing an almost entirely new backline that held Osasuna to only two shots, none on target, but struggles remain.
At home, the Santiago Bernabeu is expected to be a fortress, but Real Madrid did not dominate in their season opener. New manager challenges, player transfers, and the aftermath of a long season including the Club World Cup weigh on the team’s performance. Rodrygo’s potential transfer looms over the club, while Vinicius Junior wasn’t at his best at the start of the season, and Jude Bellingham is sidelined for three months after shoulder surgery.
Upcoming Match: Real Oviedo vs. Real Madrid
- Date: Sunday, Aug. 24
- Time: 3:30 p.m.
- Location: Estadio Municipal Carlos Tartiere – Oviedo, Spain
- Live stream: ESPN+
- Odds: Real Oviedo +850; Draw +460; Real Madrid -350
If Vini Jr. continues struggling to support Mbappe, he risked being benched as Alonso figures out the best balance for his squad. This has already been hinted at by Alonso in recent press interactions.
“I said the other day that the context of the World Cup is a little different. Now we’ve only played one game and the statistics need to be viewed carefully. All players are important, and since I draft the squad, anyone could be a starter,” Alonso stated.
Alonso must identify a secondary attacker to ease the pressure on Mbappe. Arda Guler, given a chance in the opener, plays a creative role in midfield, and this season could be a breakthrough for him. Despite facing a newly promoted team, Real Madrid must build momentum and widen the gap early in LaLiga, especially with rivals like Barcelona scoring swiftly. With Atletico Madrid trailing with one point through two matches, this matchday is crucial.
