Confirmed Starting Lineup Announced for Real Madrid vs Osasuna in La Liga

Madrid—Real Madrid have released their starting XI for tonight’s La Liga meeting with Osasuna and, despite a decisive Champions League second-leg looming, interim coach Álvaro Arbeloa has resisted wholesale rotation, making only three changes to the side that beat Benfica in mid-week.

The most notable shift is at centre-back, where David Alaba is handed his first domestic start since October after teenage defender Dean Huijsen was ruled out through injury. Alaba will partner 20-year-old Raúl Asencio, who returns to league action having served a suspension that kept him out of the first leg against Benfica. Antonio Rüdiger drops to the bench, preserved for Wednesday’s European encounter.

In the full-back positions, Dani Carvajal is restored as captain after a similar two-month lay-off, while Trent Alexander-Arnold—who has logged heavy minutes since recovering from injury—starts among the substitutes, a strong indication that the Englishman is being primed for the Benfica return.

With victory, Madrid would open a provisional five-point gap over reigning champions Barcelona, who do not play until tomorrow at Levante. Kick-off at the Bernabéu is scheduled for 21:00 CET.

Real Madrid starting XI: Lunin; Carvajal (c), Asencio, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Camavinga; Bellingham; Vinícius Jr, Rodrygo.