La Liga's inaugural match day finds Real Madrid kicking off on a Tuesday, in an unusual schedule setup
Real Madrid are set to kick off the 2025/26 La Liga season against Osasuna on Tuesday, August 19, at the Bernabeu. However, the club's preparations have been marred by injury concerns and controversy.
Two more players have joined the doubtful list for the game, with Federico Valverde, Ferland Mendy, and Endrick all facing fitness tests due to hamstring problems. Eduardo Camavinga is also racing against time to recover from a sprained ankle. Jude Bellingham, who underwent shoulder surgery, will be unavailable for the first three months of the season.
The club has been vocal about its disapproval of the idea of Barcelona playing Villarreal abroad in the La Liga this season, releasing a statement condemning the proposal.
Despite the setbacks, Real Madrid remain one of the favourites to win the La Liga this season. New manager Xabi Alonso has made some significant signings, including Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool and Alvaro Carreras from Benfica, who are set to make their LaLiga debuts. Last season's acquisition, Kylian Mbappe, will also be hoping to make an impact.
Real Madrid ended last season with a failure at the Club World Cup, and they will be eager to put that disappointment behind them as they begin their La Liga campaign. The game against Osasuna will be shown live on Premier Sports 2.
Alonso has several injury issues to deal with, but he will be hoping for a positive start to the season as Real Madrid aim to challenge for the La Liga title. The kick-off at the Bernabeu is set for 8pm UK time.
[1] Real Madrid's request to postpone their first game due to their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup earlier that summer was not granted, so the club's first match took place after the league had already started over the weekend for other teams.
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