Real Madrid face Real Sociedad after a couple of weeks of international football that slowly took the life out of many football fans across the planet.
It is good, but unless it is a full-fledged tournament, nothing can beat proper club football.
It is just good to be back. Real Madrid thankfully did not suffer any injuries over this break, and the players who stayed back got a much needed breather and a good few sessions as well.
Now, it is time to face La Real at the Santiago Bernabeu, and let's see how Real Madrid can line up against a team that is also going through a bit of a transition period.
Real Madrid predicted XI vs Real Sociedad
GK - Thibaut Courtois
No debates here - as much as I love Andriy Lunin, you cannot bench the best goalkeeper in the world - especially when he is performing as well as he is.
It is just good to have that consistent security that you get with Courtois, and it will be good to have that against a Real Sociedad side who although have not performed that well this season, have still got a few players that could test Real Madrid's goal.
RB - Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent is a brilliant player who is well rested after staying in Madrid over the international break. The best way to get him to work well with his new teammates and for the players to get used to his style is to have him start games.
Alonso could easily go for Dani Carvajal - who is an all-timer in his position - but Trent has to start this one. His relationship with the forwards is slowly developing over the season, and it would not be long before it starts showing on the pitch.
I would also imagine Carvajal starts the game against Marseille mid-week, in order to both give rest to Trent, but also minutes to the Spanish legend.
CB - Antonio Rüdiger
Rüdiger has only played one game for Real Madrid in their first three, as Éder Militão has had preference from the new coach as he fits the right side of defense a bit better than Rudiger.
But, he is still a world-class central defender, and should be able to compete with Militão for the spot. Militão has been great, but I guess it is also a good idea to slowly ease him into full-fledged action. Resting him for a game would be nice.
CB - Dean Huijsen
There is no way anyone in this squad will start over Huijsen. He is not just the best defender on this team, he is also a huge part of Real Madrid's build-up and structure on the ball. It is just amazing to see him do what he does, and he needs to start as much as possible.
LB - Álvaro Carreras
What I said about Huijsen could be echoed for Carreras, who has played every single minute for this team this season. It is good to have continuity and consistency to start a new manager's reign, and Carreras has just been so important since joining the club.
DM - Aurélien Tchouaméni
Another absolute pillar of this team. Tchouaméni has been exceptional for the club under Xabi Alonso this season, and it is only fair for him to retain his spot.
No one else is going to start over him in this form. The only player who can, Eduardo Camavinga, is injured and still in the recovery process.
Besides, even if he was fully fit, Tchouaméni sits most players in the world in his position when firing on all cylinders.
CM - Arda Güler
Güler has been a very important player for Real Madrid over the course of Alonso's time at the club. He has been the creative hub for the Spanish coach over these last few months, and that will continue against La Real.
The midfield's sore lack of depth at the moment, with both Camavinga and Jude Bellingham out, would force Alonso to go for this midfield for most, if not all games.
CM - Fede Valverde
The ultimate Swiss army knife. Valverde is the best box-to-box midfielder in the world. He is the most complete player on this team.
People have been critical of him because of how his role has subsidised over the new season, but that is only because he is not doing everything. He is doing what he needs to, and is doing it perfectly.
RW - Brahim Díaz
Franco Mastantuono sits this one out, primarily because he has played a few minutes for Argentina, and travelling all the way from South America could be impactful for a young player who is just trying to find his feet at the biggest club in the world.
CF - Kylian Mbappé
The best player in the world should start most games for the best club in the world. He is just coming off the back of three goals and an assist for France, and he would want his goalscoring exploits to continue.
LW - Vinícius Júnior
Vinícius Jr has been finding his form as of late, and after not travelling to Brazil for the international games, this rest would do him well. Expect him to be at even better form against La Real.