Real Madrid News
Real Madrid request La Liga to reschedule opening match vs Osasuna for October 29
With Real Madrid having made it through to the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup, it creates some conflict as far as their start to the new La Liga season is concerned.
The Merengues are scheduled to play Osasuna in the opening gameweek on the night of August 19 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE) has been pushing La Liga to reschedule the game so that the Real Madrid players have a proper three-week rest period between the tournaments – something that Javier Tebas has been reluctant to accept so far.
Real Madrid submit formal letter requesting postponement
Now, according to journalist Anton Meana on Carrusel, Real Madrid have formally requested La Liga to reschedule their first match of the 2025/26 season against Osasuna through a letter sent this morning.
In it, Los Blancos have informed La Liga that they have held talks with both Osasuna and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) regarding the same and have reached an agreement over a new date for the match – October 29.
It is now up to La Liga to decide whether they accept the proposal sent forward by Real Madrid, after having sorted out the matter with their opponents as well as the RFEF.
If the fixture is held on October 29, Real Madrid will face Osasuna days after having played arch-rivals FC Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the season. Their next game would be against Valencia on the first weekend of November.
As mentioned before, La Liga and Tebas have been reluctant to adjust the schedule so far.
But with there being no opposition from Osasuna over the potential rescheduling and RFEF also seemingly on board, there should be no reason for the league to move the game to a new date.
Real Madrid’s performance against Real Betis was shambolic, to say the least as the team faced many of the problems that have haunted them over the past couple of years.
But on a night where most of the attackers struggled to create anything of note, Dean Huijsen emerged as a lone bright spark for Los Blancos.
Huijsen keeps his promise
As reported by MARCA, Huijsen was the standout performer for Real Madrid, marshalling the backline with real authority even as the team struggled around him.
There has been a noticeable shift in the young defender’s mentality this season, with the player showing more competitive nature and looking much fiercer.
This is an attitude Huijsen had always promised, having inherited the iconic number four shift from David Alaba, a number he associates with his idols Sergio Ramos and Fernando Hierro.
“What I do know is that I’ll give everything of myself every day, whether in training or in a game,” he vowed, and at La Cartuja he delivered on that word.
His primary task was neutralising Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernandez, and he did so superbly, drying up the Colombian’s supply and repeatedly anticipating danger.
He also held his own in a niggly battle with Antony, refusing to be ruffled by one of Betis’ most inspired performers.
His composure on the ball, one of the qualities that has elevated him, saw him venture forward, forcing a fine save from the goalkeeper in the 11th minute and later heading against the woodwork.
The Konate partnership grows
Alongside him, Ibrahima Konate did his job, albeit without matching his partner’s brilliance.
The Frenchman was a little less assured, both in and out of possession, reflecting the two speeds of the centre-back pairing.
Huijsen looks settled and increasingly commanding, while Konate is still building the sharpness needed to reach his best in white.
Nonetheless, the partnership is heading in the right direction, and in Huijsen, Real Madrid appear to have unearthed a genuine leader for an area that has long been a weakness.
Each performance is also an argument to Luis de la Fuente, as the defender looks to reclaim the Spain spot he lost before the World Cup.
