Real Madrid will open the season with a game against Osasuna on Tuesday amidst constant failed battles with La Liga to delay the fixture, owing to the shortened rest period after the Club World Cup.
Xabi Alonso will be keen to start his first league campaign as Real Madrid manager with a perfect three points against an Osasuna side that finished 9th last season, just one spot short of UEFA Conference League qualification after tying with Rayo Vallecano on points but losing out on games won.
This looks like a convenient opportunity for Madrid to secure that ideal start. They have not lost to Osasuna since January 2011, which means about 14 years without defeat. Purely from a historical trend, this should be a straightforward win, unless one player Madrid once considered signing decides to disrupt the narrative
Real Madrid’s season opener can be spoiled by this striker they passed on
Before Gonzalo Garcia rose to prominence in the Club World Cup, Real Madrid were searching for a “Joselu-like” striker. Osasuna’s Ante Budimir was one of the top names on their shortlist as a temporary solution.
The interest eventually faded, and the deal never materialized. Budimir, however, went on to finish third in the Pichichi race last season with 21 goals in 38 games, an impressive tally for the 34-year-old.
Although he has not troubled Madrid much in his past seasons with Osasuna, his presence remains a threat they cannot ignore. Alonso has a young defensive roster that is solid but still somewhat untested in La Liga, and surprises from the Croatian striker cannot be ruled out.
Osasuna have also appointed Alessio Lisci as their new manager, arriving from the Segunda Division. His tactical ideas are yet to be tested against Madrid, but his previous work with CD Mirandes was impressive.
He took them within minutes of promotion to La Liga before losing in the play-off final to newly promoted Real Oviedo.
Lisci is expected to revive Osasuna’s high-pressing, intensity-driven style, something they sorely lacked last season.
If he manages to implement that approach quickly, and with a lethal finisher like Budimir leading the line, Madrid must come prepared to avoid a shock in their very first league outing.