Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso was impressed with the performances of the club’s new signings after the narrow 1-0 win over Osasuna in their 2025/26 La Liga opener.
The Spanish boss took charge of his first league game in charge of Los Blancos, since succeeding Carlo Ancelotti who joined the Brazilian national team in June.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras and Franco Mastantuono, all joined the 15-time European champions this summer and while the former three started the game on Tuesday night, Mastantuono came on as a second half substitute.
All four players impressed on their league debut as Los Blancos began the new campaign with a win as they look to challenge defending champions Barcelona for the title.
“The new signings] were good, everyone has landed on their feet,” Alonso said after the match.
“Those who played at the Club World Cup, and Franco [Mastantuono], who made his debut today, are players we’ll have here for years. Neither the shirt nor being at the Bernabéu weighed on them.
They did well, maybe not spectacular, but they were serious,” Alonso added in his post-match news conference. “There were no mistakes or nerves. Franco has brought a good energy”, he continued.
Kylian Mbappe grabbed the only goal of the game in the second half after he was fouled in the box, while Osasuna had Abel Bretones sent off in stoppage time.
“He looks good. I thought he could contribute,” Alonso hailed Mastantuono’s impact. “He had some good minutes, he had an impact.
There are positives, starting with the result. After two weeks of training, against a team that had a longer preseason, things were missing”, he added.
“There were good things, and other things to improve. It’s a long road.”
Real Madrid are back in action on Sunday when they face newly-promoted Oviedo in their second league game of the campaign.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
