“Since I arrived at Osasuna, I’ve never faced a player as talented as him. He caused us a lot of problems; even if we played our best, he left us no chance of winning,” said Osasuna coach Alessio Lisci, paying tribute to a Real Madrid player for his discomfort yesterday. Even more surprisingly, it wasn’t Mbappé or Vinicius Junior.
The opening match of the 2025-2026 LaLiga season between Real Madrid and Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium left a mark not only on Real Madrid’s victory but also on the emergence of an individual performance that left Osasuna coach Alessio Lisci speechless. During the post-match press conference, Lisci, who was beginning his first official season at the helm of Club Navarrais, made no secret of his admiration for a Real Madrid player who unexpectedly dominated the meeting. What was most surprising was that this player wasn’t Kylian Mbappé or Vinicius Junior, two of the stars usually in the spotlight.
From the outset, Osasuna attempted to establish the meticulous game plan prepared by Lisci, known for his rigorous tactical approach. The Italian, who had proven himself at Mirandés in the Segunda Division on a limited budget, had approached this match with a mix of enthusiasm and realism. In the days leading up to the match, he emphasized the importance of understanding the key moments of the match and countering Real Madrid’s offensive patterns. However, despite careful preparation, his team faced an opponent who knew how to thwart his every strategy. This player, whose name was not explicitly mentioned by Lisci, was the driving force behind an impressive collective performance by the reigning champions.
Real Madrid, under new coach Xabi Alonso, benefited from intense preparation, particularly thanks to their participation in the Club World Cup this summer. Lisci had also acknowledged before the match that this competition had allowed Real Madrid to better adapt to the demands of the new season. But it wasn’t just the team’s cohesion that made the difference. The player in question distinguished himself with his vision, his ability to create chances, and his inexhaustible energy on the pitch. Every attempt by Osasuna to regain control or build an attack was neutralized by his quick and intelligent interventions.
For Osasuna, this match was a major challenge. After finishing ninth in the 2024-2025 season, the club is aiming to go higher, hoping to secure European qualification. Lisci, with his style of play based on intense pressing and solid defensive organization, had instilled a new dynamic in the team. However, facing an opponent like Real Madrid, and in particular this exceptional player, the Navarrais were put to the test. Despite the efforts of Ante Budimir, the team’s top scorer, and Lucas Torró, solid in defense, Osasuna failed to find the snag.
In his remarks, Lisci wanted to salute his team’s performance, emphasizing that they had given their all. But he also acknowledged the obvious: this Real Madrid player was simply unstoppable. This recognition attests to the humility and lucidity of the Italian coach, who, at just 39 years old, continues to learn through contact with the elders. His visits to Levante and Mirandés prepared him to take on challenges in difficult contexts, but this match against Real Madrid revealed a level of talent he had never encountered before.
This moment also highlights Real Madrid’s evolution under Xabi Alonso. The team, already formidable with players like Mbappé and Vinicius, seems to have found a new dimension with the emergence of talent capable of surprising even the most informed observers. For Osasuna, this difficult defeat will serve as a lesson. Lisci, with his ability to learn from every match, will likely be able to use this experience to strengthen his team. While the season is just getting started, Osasuna supporters can remain optimistic: their coach has already shown he could turn challenges into opportunities.
