Steve McManaman makes bullish claim on Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid

Real Madrid have hit the round running at the start of the 2025/26 La Liga season with three wins from three games.

Nine points on the board means Xabi Alonso’s side headed into the international break top of La Liga with just one goal conceded.

Following Barcelona’s draw at Rayo Vallecano, they are two points ahead of the defending champions, in an early season boost for Alonso.

Los Blancos have also learnt their UEFA Champions League opponents for the first phase of the competition up until the end of January.

Real Madrid start their league phase campaign at home to Ligue 1 giants Marseille on the 16th of September, before a long trip to Kazakhstan two weeks later to face Kairat Almaty.

They host Juventus on the 22nd of October – just days ahead of the first El Clasico of the season – before arguably their tough fixture: away to Liverpool.

The second half of Real Madrid’s stage starts at Olympiacos, before home matches against Manchester City and AS Monaco.

Los Blancos round out the league phase on the road at Benfica in Lisbon on the 28th of January.

With the schedule now settled for the months ahead, former star and double Champions League winner Steve McManaman, is confident the squad will push on.

“Real Madrid have a tough draw in some ways, but there are games they should win. Juve at home, Monaco at home, even Olympiacos. The only awkward one is the trip to Almaty,” as pr Diario AS.

“No one wants to travel so far just before a league game. But, in general, they’re games they should win. On paper, City and Liverpool look very complicated.

“You don’t go from being excellent one season, to then having all those injuries, and then struggling again.

“They’re back, the squad is deep, with experience. I’ve seen them a couple of times this year, and they look fit.”