Real Madrid 1-0 Osasuna: Report & Full Match Highlights as Los Blancos Start With A Win

Real Madrid Grind Down Osasuna

Real Madrid controlled the opening stages of the game, allowing the away team no significant possession in the opening ten minutes. Osasuna defensively set up very well under the new head coach, Alessio Lisci. It was going to take a bit of magic to unlock the low block setup from the visitors.

Kylian Mbappe had the first half chance of the game in the 25th minute, Vinicius Jr. did well from the left and cut it back to the Frenchman, who scuffed his shot towards goal. Xabi Alonso was asking his team to move the ball quicker, with Los Rojillos very happy to defend in numbers outside their box.

In the 34th minute, Mbappe had another half-chance, curling an effort just wide of the post. In the final ten minutes of the half, Los Blancos looked to up the tempo. Despite all the possession in the first half (79%), the home team was left frustrated, going in at the break at 0-0.

Real Madrid got precisely what they wanted early in the second half, and it was always going to be the club's new No. 10 who broke the deadlock. Mbappe made it 1-0 in the 51st minute, slotting home a penalty after being brought down by center-back Juan Cruz. Coach Lisci was booked for his complaints, but the decision was not changed.

Real Madrid got to see the fourth new signing of the summer, 18-year-old Franco Mastantuono, and nearly delivered his first assist moment after coming on. The Argentine's cross was met by Aurélien Tchouaméni, who just headed wide. Los Blancos continued to have possession but created few chances. In the 85th minute, they were nearly punished when Osasuna forward Ante Budimir missed the target when he should have done better.

Mastantuono looked impressive and nearly scored his first goal for the club, shooting from a tight angle, but it was well saved. No more goals followed, but the visitors were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when Abel Bretones thrusted his elbow into the face of Gonzalo Garcia as he tried to block his run.

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Full Match Highlights

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Real Madrid will face newly promoted Real Oviedo next on August 24 at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium, hoping for another three points, but possibly with a more comfortable margin.