Match
Overview & Context
- Date & Kick-off:
Sunday, August 24, 2025, at 21:30 CEST (~19:30 GMT, 15:30 ET)
- Venue:
Estadio Carlos Tartiere in Oviedo—hosting top-flight La Liga football for
the first time in 24 years, marking a historic occasion for the club and
its supporters
- Significance:
A classic David vs Goliath narrative—Madrid is expected to dominate, but
Oviedo’s return and hometown energy could stir surprises.
Team
News & Predicted Lineups
Real
Oviedo
- Manager:
Veljko Paunović, leading the team in their first top-tier season since
2001
- Promotion Story:
Earned promotion via drama-filled playoffs, with veteran Santi Cazorla
playing a symbolic and inspirational cameo
- Key Additions and Availability:
- New signings: Salomón Rondón, Alberto Reina, Luka
Ilić, Ilyas Chaira, Álex Forés, Eric Bailly, Ovie Ejaria, Leander
Dendoncker, Brandon Domingues
- Injuries/Suspensions: Alberto Reina is suspended;
Álvaro Lemos, Jaime Seoane, Lucas Ahijado are injured; David Costas
returns from suspension; Colombatto nearing fitness
- Likely Formation & XI: Typically a compact 4-2-3-1 or 5-4-1 setup to
frustrate; probable XI (per Khel Now / Football Whispers / Sky247):
Real
Madrid
- Manager:
Xabi Alonso, still embedding his style and structure into the squad
- Injuries & Absences: Missing Bellingham, Camavinga, Endrick, Mendy, plus
Rüdiger coming back from suspension
- Entrants:
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Á. Carreras, and wildcard Franco
Mastantuono are integrated into the squad
- Predicted XI (4-3-3 or 4-3-1-2):
·
Courtois;
Alexander-Arnold, Militão, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Güler;
Mastantuono or Brahim, Mbappé, Vinícius Jr.
Head-to-Head
& Key Context
- Historical Meetings:
Rare battles; last competitive clash was in 2002. Head-to-head: Madrid won
~55 of 85, Oviedo 14, draws 16
- Oviedo’s Return to La Liga: First season back; opening day ended in a 2-0 loss to
Villarreal, featuring a red card and missed penalty that impacted the
outcome
- Oviedo’s Home Form:
Solid—unbeaten in most recent league games, boasting a strong home record
overall
- Madrid’s Momentum:
Won opener 1-0 via Mbappé's penalty; undefeated in many league outings,
scoring freely both home and away
Tactical
Preview & Storylines
Oviedo
(Paunović)
- Expected to dig in deep with a defensive emphasis; aim
to frustrate Madrid and hit on transitions. Rondón’s physical presence
will key combinations; set-pieces could be vital
- Use of home crowd and nostalgia—Oviedo have shown
emotional firepower, backed by talisman Cazorla and new defensive recruits
like Bailly.
Real
Madrid (Alonso)
- Looking for tactical polish and fluidity; wings and
attacking trident (Mbappé, Vinícius, Mastantuono/Brahim) will be central.
- Midfield still strong despite absentees, with
Valverde/Tchouaméni/Güler offering control and balance
- Test lies in converting dominance into goals on a
possibly sticky surface.
Broadcast
& Live Stream Info
- Spain:
DAZN La Liga
- USA:
ESPN Deportes and streaming on ESPN+
- Other Regions (e.g. India): Coverage exists via local broadcasters (e.g., Times of
India noted availability)