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2025-26 Spanish La Liga
Matchday 1
Real Madrid v Osasuna
Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Madrid, Spain
Tuesday, 19 August 2025
Kick-off is at 21h00
Real Madrid will attempt to wrestle back the
La Liga title from arch-rivals Barcelona as they kick off their season against Osasuna at the Bernabeu on Tuesday, August 19.
Los Blancos weren't able to give Carlo Ancelotti a perfect send-off after the Blaugrana dethroned them by finishing four points clear at the league summit, with the defending champions having to settle for second place.
Ancelotti's side were behind Barca for much of the 2024-25 campaign, having occupied top spot for four consecutive weeks from matchday 20 to 23.
Ancelotti left Madrid at the end of the season to take up the reins of the Brazil national team and former Real star Xabi Alonso succeeded him in June.
The 36-time Spanish champions also bid farewell to three stalwarts in Luka Modric, Lucas Vazquez and Jesus Vallejo, while they brought in Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Alvaro Carreras (Benfica) and Franco Mastantuono (River Plate).
Los Rojillos enjoyed one of their best seasons since earning promotion back to the top tier of Spanish football in 2019-20 as they made a late push for European football.
The Pamplona outfit eventually finished behind Rayo Vallecano on head-to-head in ninth place after both teams ended on 52 points, with Los Franjirrojos qualifying for the UEFA Conference.
Vicente Moreno subsequently left his role as head coach and Alessio Lisci was appointed as his successor in June after spending two seasons with Mirandes.
Alonso recently lavished Federico Valverde with praise after seeing him in action first hand at the 2025 Club World Cup, but intends not to overwork the Uruguayan midfielder this term.
"I haven't seen many players with his physical performance. He reminds me of [Steven] Gerrard. He can play in any position and I'm very happy to coach him. All coaches would like to have a Valverde in the team," the Spaniard said.
Head-to-Head (Last Five La Liga Meetings)
Matches - 5
Real Madrid wins - 4
Osasuna wins - 0
Draws - 1
La Liga Matchday 1 fixtures:
Friday, August 15
18h00: Girona v Rayo Vallecano
20h30: Villarreal v Real Oviedo
Saturday, August 16
16h00: Alaves v Levante
18h30: Real Mallorca v Barcelona
20h30: Valencia v Real Sociedad
Sunday, August 17
16h00: Celta Vigo v Getafe
18h30: Athletic Bilbao v Sevilla
20h30: Espanyol v Atletico Madrid
Monday, August 18
20h00: Elche v Real Betis
Tuesday, August 19
20h00: Real Madrid v Osasuna
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