Real Madrid vs. Osasuna: Confirmed lineups for Kylian Mbappe’s debut in 2025-26 La Liga

Real Madrid will kick off the 2025-26 La Liga season at the Santiago Bernabeu against Osasuna. With Los Blancos entering as one of the title favorites, and Kylian Mbappe fresh off winning the Golden Boot last season, excitement is high in Madrid.

The match also marks the start of a new era under head coach Xabi Alonso, whose last competitive outing came on July 8, when they fell to Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals of the FIFA Club World Cup. After that first taste of official competition, Alonso now looks to settle in for a full campaign at the helm.

Osasuna are also adjusting to new leadership. Last season, Vicente Moreno guided the club to an impressive ninth-place finish, narrowly missing out on European competition. However, Moreno left in the summer to take over at Qatari side Al-Wakrah SC, forcing the club into transition. In came 39-year-old Alessio Lisci, but preseason results have been concerning, with just one win, one draw, and four defeats in six games.

On paper, Madrid enter as clear favorites, and history supports that. In both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 La Liga seasons, Los Blancos dismantled Osasuna 4-0 at home, underlining their dominance at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid with one key return, several absences

Madrid dealt with setbacks at the Club World Cup, including Mbappe missing several games after being hospitalized with a severe case of acute gastroenteritis. Now fully fit, the Frenchman is set to return, as is midfielder Federico Valverde, who missed preseason with a muscular issue.

Even so, Alonso’s squad will be without several important names to start the league campaign. Jude Bellingham remains sidelined following shoulder surgery, while Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga, and Endrick are also unavailable for the opener.

Confirmed lineups for Real Madrid and Osasuna

Real Madrid’s confirmed lineups (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eder Militao, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carrera; Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler; Brahim Diaz, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior.
Head coach: Xabi Alonso.

Osasuna’s confirmed lineups (3-4-2-1): Sergio Herrera; Alejandro Catena, Flavien Boyomo, Juan Cruz; Valentin Rosier, Lucas Torro, Jon Mocayola, Abel Bretones; Ruben Garcia, Aimar Oroz; Ante Budimir.
Head coach: Alesssio Lisci.