Real Madrid Must Be Ready To Give La Liga, Lack Of Pre-season Rest Time Won't Be An Excuse

Real Madrid doesn't want to make it a little less pre-season time as a reason for not being ready to face La Liga (Instagram/@realmadrid).

JAKARTA - Real Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso, said he would not look for excuses after the hasty pre-season. He emphasized that his troops must be ready to navigate La Liga 2025/2026.

Los Blancos will start the 2025/2026 La Liga season against Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu, Wednesday, August 20, 2025 WIB, just 15 days after starting training on August 4, 2025, when the players return from vacation after participating in the 2025 Club World Cup.

Real Madrid had asked for the match against Osasuna to be postponed to give additional preparation time. However, the request was rejected by a judge of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), who decided that although the players were entitled to a minimum rest of 21 days, there were no requirements for physical preparation.

"Of course, for the sake of the health of the players, after a long season, we want to have more preparations."

"But, in the end, that didn't happen. Yes, that's how it is. It's only been two weeks. However, we won't look for excuses. The team can compete tomorrow," Alonso said at a press conference on Monday, August 18, 2025, local time.

Real Madrid's rival in the race for the title, Barcelona, started the season with a 3-0 win at Mallorca on Sunday, August 17, 2025 WIB. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid surprisingly lost 1-2 to Espanyol on Monday, August 18, 2025 WIB.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have added four new players to the first team squad this summer, namely Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, and Mastantuono.

Mastantuono just joined his teammates last weekend, after his 18th birthday, Thursday, August 14, 2025, but Alonso said he had the opportunity to appear at the Bernabeu.

"The first time I spoke to (Mastantuono), his personality surprised me. He's only 17 years old, but he's a real man, he's very confident."

"He didn't feel dizzy when he arrived at Real Madrid. In no time, we saw he would quickly adapt to the team. He can get playing time tomorrow."

"He will bring quality and energy, I see he has an Argentine fighting spirit," said Alonso.

Apart from Mastantuono, the new Alexander-Arnold player also has a chance to appear in the match against Osasuna. However, competition emerged with Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal - who was absent almost last season due to a knee injury - to fight for a place at the right back.

Alonso will see who is most prepared between the two to be selected to fill the right-back post in La Liga's opening match.

"The competition is very tight. I'm happy to have it in every position, two players who want to show their abilities."

"After that, we have to decide. It's really good for the squad, we have a lot of games," said Alonso.

Real Madrid will play without Jude Bellingham for the match against Osasuna as he is still recovering after shoulder surgery.

Endrick, Eduardo Camavinga, and Ferland Mendy are also still injured. Meanwhile Antonio Rudiger was sanctioned with a ban on competing.

Real Madrid vs Osasuna will kick off at 02.00 WIB.