2025-08-20 08:54:48
Xabi Alonso was impressed with Real Madrid’s new signings as they started their La Liga campaign with a win.
Los Blancos beat Osasuna 1-0 in their league opener on Tuesday (19.08.25) and the coach praised the performances of new arrivals Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras and Franco Mastantuono.
Alonso told Real Madrid TV: “[The new signings] were good, everyone has landed on their feet. Those who played at the Club World Cup, and Franco [Mastantuono], who made his debut today, are players we’ll have here for years. Neither the shirt nor being at the Bernabeu weighed on them.
“They did well, maybe not spectacular, but they were serious. There were no mistakes or nerves. Franco has brought a good energy.”
Alonso felt that there was plenty of room for improvement for Real as Kylian Mbappe’s penalty gave them a victory in a game where they found it hard to create chances.
The Spanish manager said: “There are positives, starting with the result. After two weeks of training, against a team that had a longer pre-season, things were missing.
“There were good things, and other things to improve. It’s a long road.”
Brazilian attacker Rodrygo was once again absent for Real but Alonso denied that it has anything to do with speculation about his future at the club.
He said: “There’s nothing going on with Rodrygo. We have to put it in context. The Club World Cup was different, I think we can leave it behind, and this was just one game. I’m counting on him, what’s important is this season, and we don’t have to read too much into this for the future.
“If in three months, he has the same amount of minutes, then I can answer you. But today, it was about the circumstances of the match, and my decisions during it.”
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