Xabi Alonso made a winning start as Real Madrid manager with a 1-0 victory over Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu, decided by Kylian Mbappe’s second-half penalty.

The former midfielder, who played 236 times for the club, returned to lead Los Blancos after a disappointing previous campaign under Carlo Ancelotti.

His side controlled possession but lacked fluency, creating few clear chances in the first half aside from long-range efforts by Dean Huijsen and Eder Militao.

Osasuna’s resistance was broken after the interval when Juan Cruz fouled Mbappe, allowing the French forward to net his 45th goal for the club from the spot.

The visitors rarely threatened a reply and finished with ten men after Abel Bretones was sent off for a late challenge on Gonzalo Garcia.

Alonso deployed a back four in contrast to his Leverkusen system, though his defence had little to deal with.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, making his La Liga debut, was quiet before being replaced by Dani Carvajal.

New signings Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras and Franco Mastantuono also made their league bows, though Madrid’s attacking play often lacked sharpness.

For Osasuna, the performance showed defensive organisation but left questions over their ability to threaten stronger opponents.

Coach Alessio Lisci, in his first match in charge, will look for greater cutting edge in the weeks ahead.