Real Madrid's New Recruitment Immediately Has A Positive Impact

Franco Mastantuono (left) immediately performed well on his Real Madrid debut (Instagram/@realmadrid).

JAKARTA - Xabi Alonso praised the impact given by Real Madrid's new recruits, including debutant Franco Mastantuono, after his troops defeated Osasuna 1-0 in the opening match of La Liga 2025/2026, Wednesday, August 20, 2025, early morning WIB.

Three new Los Blancos--Trent Alexander--Arnold recruits, Dean Huijsen, and Alvaro Carreras -- started at the Santiago Bernabeu. While Mastantuono was included as a substitute in the second half and impressed on the pitch.

Kylian Mbappe scored his only goal in the game from the penalty spot after being fouled by defender Juan Cruz, while Osasuna's Abel Bretones was sent off during injury time.

"The new recruits played well, everyone performed well. Those who played in the 2025 Club World Cup and Franco (Mastantuono), who made their debut today, are the players we will have here for years."

"They played well, maybe not spectacular, but they were serious. There were no mistakes or nervousness. Franco has brought good energy," Alonso said after the game.

Mastantuono turned 18 on Thursday, August 14, 2025, and trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Friday, August 15, 2025, but looked confident in his debut at Bernabeu.

"He looks good. I think he can contribute. He played well, he had an impact," said Alonso.

Alonso admits that there is still room for improvement after Real Madrid's performance dominated possession but struggled to create a clean opportunity against Osasuna.

"There are positive things, starting with the results of the match. After two weeks of training, against a team that is going through a longer pre-season, things feel less."

"There are good things and there are other things that need to be improved. The road is still long," said Alonso.

Real Madrid want to improve on the results of the disappointing 2024/2025 season without major trophies under Carlo Ancelotti.

Players have now found new energy since the arrival of Xabi Alonso.

"(Alonso) wanted us to have more possession of the ball and play from one side to the other so that the opposing team didn't have room to play."

"There are things we can improve on, we just returned from vacation, but the results are positive," said Mbappe.