Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso fired words of warning to his superstar duo ahead of their first league game of the new season.
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Real Madrid start the 2025/26 LALIGA season against Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu as they look to wrestle the title back from rivals FC Barcelona.
It marks Xabi Alonso's first league game for the Los Blancos after he led the side to a semi-final showing at the FIFA Club World Cup. After a brief break and short pre-season to get match-ready, attention now shifts to the Spanish league season.
According to Madrid Universal, Alonso spoke openly about what he expected from his attacking duo of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior this coming season.
"It’s a matter of all the lines being aware of it," Alonso said. "It’s important for the forwards not to get caught out on the turns, but also that when we attack, the defensive line pushes. We want to function as a team," he added.
The ex-Bayern Munich man said the duo would be important for the team on attack and defence.
"That’s going to help us improve at all distances, both when we defend and when we attack. It’s very important to be aware of them today. I think we made a step forward in the World Cup. It’s something we’re very aware of and have been working on," he added.
The former Spain international also discussed the competition within the team between new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal, who recently returned from an ACL injury.
"I’m clear that it’s a fantastic competition," he said. And I love that we have two players in each position who can play. Sometimes I’ll have to split the roles, but we have all the positions doubled."
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He added: "Carva is getting closer to his level. That’s very good for the level of the squad. We have a lot of games."
