Xabi Alonso's Madrid debuted in La Liga with order but without fire in the victory over Osasuna.

Football needs order and disorder, which shouldn't be understood as a negative situation, but rather as a different kind of order. The arrival of a new coach invokes the former, with the players committed to the discipline required to stay in the starting eleven. Madrid needed it, unbound by the vices that plague those who have won so much. It's an old story. The question is finding the balance between the order and disorder that defines the idiosyncrasy of this team, provoked by players who make their own decisions, who take risks, are bold, unpredictable, and whose disorder disrupts their opponents. In Xabi Alonso 's debut in La Liga, set in motion by a penalty on Mbappé , we saw more of the former. Fair enough, a 5, to start with, while we wait to see a Madrid that needs to progress, needs to accelerate.

Alessio Lisci has also just arrived at Osasuna. At Levante and Mirandés, we saw his ambition, the kind of ambition that someone who used to sell pizzas, burrata, and pesto sauce in Valencia had as an internship coach. At the Bernabéu, a full-fledged coach emerged, with a very professional approach. For Osasuna, in this position, order was enough. Not a yard, was the motto. Not a yard for Vinicius or Mbappé. When the Frenchman had the chance, he earned the penalty with a poorly timed challenge from Juan Cruz . Mbappé, in fine tune, finished the job against Herrera, who is no ordinary goalkeeper in this situation.

The role of Vinicius

This isn't the first time a big team has faced a defense built around a 5-3-2. It's the norm. Against this, speed and the ability of the players to overcome pieces on their own are essential. For almost the entire match, Madrid barely tested it. Boyomo and Rosier , two excellent acquisitions, played a significant role, but the team lacked individual determination. Rosier beat Vinicius, whom the Bernabéu applauded when he recovered. That's fine, but don't confuse the Brazilian's priority. If he doesn't overrun, he doesn't make a difference; otherwise, he's just another player. It's important not to confuse the roles, and that the striker doesn't confuse them. Substituted by Gonzalo in the final stretch of an unresolved duel, Vini was not enough.

Alexander-Arnold has distinguished himself at Liverpool for his depth and his arrival to the back line, but at the start, he seemed timid and shy. He was replaced by Carvajal , who will undoubtedly compete fiercely for his place. He returned to the Bernabéu the day of his injury. Trent's opposite was Carreras , who does everything on the opposite flank, hyperactive. He took the first shot against a defense that was impossible to penetrate. He wasn't the only one. Huijsen and Militao also tried their hand at it in a start with no space or opportunities. Madrid looked for shots and second chances against a comfortable Osasuna.

Races, with determination

Carreras started, like Huijsen and Trent, the signings, in a completely revamped defense compared to last season, as Militao had been unable to play due to injuries. The defense is clear. So is the attack, although Bellingham's absence could lead to changes, rotations of players, and systems, between a 4-3-3 and a 4-4-2. We'll also see some formations with three center-backs, a familiar feature for Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen. He's an alchemist-coach and open-minded.

Güler started in the midfield, where he hopes to establish himself as a playmaker, a position vacant following the departures of Kroos and Modric . More of an inside midfielder than a central midfielder, he lacks peripheral vision in that position. The Turk didn't shine in an area where Madrid will experience intense internal competition, something Mastantuono has been aiming for since the first match. Xabi Alonso didn't hesitate, focusing more on his motivation than his adaptation. A good thing.

"Franco, Franco!"

The 18-year-old Argentinian's encouragement also came from the Bernabéu. Some of the fans greeted him with shouts of "Franco, Franco!" when he came out to warm up. His name is Franco Mastantuono. He asked for the ball, took a corner, and tested Herrera, in a different setting, as Osasuna stretched, although Madrid couldn't take advantage, visibly fatigued. It's a fact that he has rested less than the rest.

Lisci played a long game and looked for opportunities in the final minutes, when Bretones was sent off for a push that didn't warrant it, while Xabi Alonso brought on Ceballos and demanded order and possession to protect himself. The disorder is still pending.