“You can see that Kylian wants to do even more after this first year where he did great things,” said Alonso.
Kylian Mbappe converted a penalty as Real Madrid secured a narrow 1-0 victory over a tenacious Osasuna on Tuesday, marking an optimistic beginning to their La Liga campaign under new head coach Xabi Alonso.
The French forward, who claimed the European Golden Shoe last season, netted shortly after halftime, having been brought down in the penalty area by Osasuna defender Juan Cruz.
This goal was sufficient to secure a win in Alonso’s inaugural match at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Real Madrid extending their unbeaten streak in opening league games to 16 seasons since 2008.
“You can see that Kylian wants to do even more after this first year where he did great things,” said Alonso.
Mbappe ended his first season in La Liga as the leading goal scorer with 31 goals and is now sporting the number 10 jersey previously worn by Luka Modric, who transferred to AC Milan last month.
“I don’t know if it’s linked to the new number or not, or simply to his desire to win, but he wants to improve individual and collective performance and inspire his team-mates,” added Alonso.
“You can see his desire every day. Today he created those decisive moments that enable us to win matches.”
Having experienced a condensed pre-season due to their journey to the Club World Cup semi-finals in July, Alonso emphasized that this would not serve as an excuse, especially after their request to postpone the match against Osasuna was denied.
“To start on the right foot is key in La Liga. We know we weren’t well prepared,” said Madrid defender Dani Carvajal in an interview with DAZN. “But we basically didn’t suffer and it was a complete display.”
Carvajal made his first league appearance since October after recovering from a significant knee injury, coming on for Trent Alexander-Arnold in the second half.
New faces in Madrid
Alexander-Arnold debuted in La Liga following his transfer from Liverpool, while other summer signings such as former Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen and left-back Alvaro Carreras were also included in the starting eleven.
However, Madrid was without England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who is anticipated to be sidelined until October due to recovery from surgery for a recurring shoulder issue.
Real Madrid aims to turn a new leaf after a disappointing finish to the Carlo Ancelotti era, having lost both their domestic and European titles last season.
Alonso’s team had to exercise patience against an Osasuna side that claimed ninth place last season, with the hosts primarily limited to long-range attempts from center-backs Huijsen and Eder Militao in the first half.
Osasuna’s goalkeeper Sergio Herrera dealt effectively with both shots, while Mbappe struggled to find his footing, failing to make solid contact after being set up by Vinicius Junior and later sending another attempt wide as Madrid faced challenges in penetrating the opposing defense.
However, Mbappe finally broke the deadlock just six minutes into the second half after being fouled by Cruz while trying to maneuver past him.
Mbappe confidently converted the penalty, sending Herrera the wrong way.
Alonso introduced 18-year-old Argentine winger Franco Mastantuono midway through the second half as Madrid maintained control throughout the match and were rarely in danger.
Osasuna had a fleeting chance when Ante Budimir headed over, and Mastantuono was thwarted late on by Herrera.
Osasuna concluded the match with ten players as Abel Bretones received a red card in stoppage time for handling the ball to impede Gonzalo Garcia’s path.
