Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has said that anyone can be a starter as the team chase back-to-back La Liga wins when they travel to Real Oviedo on Sunday.
Madrid opened the season with a 1-0 victory over Osasuna, while Oviedo began their return to the top flight with a 2-0 defeat away to Villarreal. Alonso’s strong start in charge has helped Madrid stretch their unbeaten run on opening days to 17 games (11 wins, five draws) since a 2-0 loss to Deportivo La Coruña in August 2008.
Mbappé continued his prolific form for Madrid, scoring on the opening day after his debut season at the Bernabéu in which he netted 32 league goals in 35 appearances to top the La Liga scoring charts.
Looking ahead to the Oviedo match, Alonso stressed the importance of squad depth. “I’m sure for Oviedo and their fans this is a special game,” he said. “Now we go and it is very important for us to keep growing away from home, to be competitive no matter where we play, to maintain a high level. It’s only the third week since we started, but we are eager for tomorrow’s game. We’ve played only one match, so statistics must be treated cautiously. Every player is important, and I trust them, and from the moment I name the squad, anyone can be a starter.”
Oviedo will play their first home La Liga match since the 2000-01 season, having earned promotion through last season’s Segunda División playoffs. Historically, Oviedo have struggled against Madrid, with 14 wins in 85 meetings and 55 losses prior to this weekend’s clash. The sides last met in the Copa del Rey in November 2002, when Madrid won 4-0.
Players to watch
Real Oviedo – Santi Cazorla
Cazorla captained the Oviedo revival to La Liga, scoring five goals and eight assists across last season, including key strikes in the promotion play-offs. The veteran Spaniard has indicated this will be his final season in professional football.
Real Madrid – Arda Güler
Güler has been in and out of Madrid’s lineup, but with Jude Bellingham sidelined, the Turkish playmaker could be set for a longer spell in the starting XI. He appeared as a starter against Osasuna and posted the second-most passes in the attacking third (47), behind only Álvaro Carreras (64).
PREDICTION: REAL MADRID VICTORY
Despite Madrid’s strong overall head-to-head record, they have failed to win any of their last four La Liga away games against Oviedo (three draws, one defeat) since a 3-2 win at the old Carlos Tartiere in September 1996. It would be Madrid’s longest winless run in Oviedo’s stadium in league play since November 1952, when they endured eight matches with three draws and five losses. The last league meeting between them was June 2001, finishing 1-1, with three of the last four league matches between the sides ending in a draw.
Oviedo have managed only one victory in their last 11 La Liga encounters with Madrid, a 1-0 win in December 1998 under Fernando Vázquez and Guus Hiddink. Madrid have won 11 and lost three of their last 14 league matches, and if they avoid a draw this time, they could reach 15 consecutive La Liga wins without sharing points—the longest such run since September 2016, when they had 16 wins and one defeat under Zinedine Zidane.
Probability of victory (Opta)
Real Oviedo: 12.4%
Draw: 18.9%
Real Madrid: 68.6%
What this means for the season ahead
Alonso’s emphasis on depth could serve Madrid well as they navigate a busy fixture schedule. The early momentum, paired with a strong away record if they maintain focus, keeps Madrid as favorites for three points, while Oviedo will look to capitalize on home support and the vulnerabilities Madrid may show away from the Bernabéu.
Summary
Real Madrid aim to extend their positive start under Xabi Alonso with a win at Real Oviedo, relying on a deep squad and the continued influence of players like Arda Güler, especially with Bellingham sidelined. Oviedo, buoyed by recent promotion and home support, will seek to make the most of their league return against a Madrid side seeking back-to-back victories. An interesting tactical battle awaits, with Madrid hoping to avoid a rare winless run in Oviedo and push toward a strong start to the season.