Real Madrid are meeting Osasuna in the first La Liga game of this season and they should ideally be grabbing these three easy points. Barcelona have already collected their three and rivals Atletico Madrid have started with zero.
What gives Los Blancos even more reason to win this game is the need to make a statement in the first game of the Xabi Alonso era, and so Madrid must stage their best possible lineup tomorrow to achieve that.
For that lineup, these five players should be the non-negotiable starters for Real Madrid:
Thibaut Courtois
I do not need to write paragraphs justifying this one. Courtois is the go-to man for the goalkeeping job and there exists no sane opinion to the contrary. This is one of those picks you can trust with a blind eye.
Dean Huijsen
I think Huijsen has already established himself as an undisputed starter in Xabi’s eyes. He has played only a handful of games in white but it feels like he has been here for years. His clarity and composure are unparalleled and there is already enough on the internet and among fans about his passing proficiency.
If there is one player in defense who has his name solidified in tomorrow’s lineup, it is easily Huijsen. Xabi only has to figure out the other three.
Arda Guler
Guler did not get a lot of minutes last season and I will forever hold Carlo Ancelotti guilty for that despite all that he has done for Real Madrid. Guler is something special, and it is clear as day.
He makes this team so much better from midfield that benching him has to be the most nonsensical and absurd idea if it comes to a manager’s mind. He is extremely creative and works seamlessly with the team.
He should start at any cost.
Kylian Mbappe
Why am I even bothering writing? Mbappe is the star of this team around whom Florentino Perez could build the entire squad if need be. More than that, he has given Xabi Alonso every reason to rely on him for the goalscoring job.
Mbappe won the golden boot last season despite a slow start, so he should charge for the trophy right from the beginning this time so that he does not have to struggle for margin until the last game.
Mbappe scored twice in the last game against WSG Tirol and he looks to be in great form. Scoring a goal or two against Osasuna would work wonders to give him the head start for consistency that Madrid will need from him this season.
Aurelien Tchouameni
Tchouameni is literally Xabi Alonso’s voice on the pitch. The way he controls the game and manages its tempo is exactly the service Xabi needs someone to perform on his behalf.
While an overall attacking philosophy is favored by Xabi, Tchouameni’s defensive side gives the team a much-needed balance, and all of that combines to make him a non-negotiable starter.