Predicted XIs Real Sociedad-Real Madrid: Xabi Alonso to unite attacking trio | OneFootball

Real Madrid are aiming to make it four wins from four at the start of the new La Liga season when they take on Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena in Donostia-San Sebastian.

It has been a strong start to Xabi Alonso’s first full season in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu, but this will be the toughest test that his Real Madrid players have faced so far – and it will be a poignant afternoon for him too, as he returns to his boyhood club.

One change planned by Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid secured a comeback victory over Mallorca before the international break, and according to Sport, there will be one change from that game. In his pre-match press conference, Alonso hinted at the idea of using Rodrygo Goes, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe together for the first time this season, and that is what he intends to do at the Reale Arena – the former would come into the side for Franco Mastantuono, who’d be on the bench.

Diario Sport’s predicted line-ups for Real Sociedad-Real Madrid at the Reale Arena (Image via Diario Sport)

If this is the case, it would mean that Trent Alexander-Arnold is preferred to Dani Carvajal for the second match in a row, while Fede Valverde would not be rested despite a gruelling international break with Uruguay.

As for La Real, they will hope for their first victory of the Sergio Francisco reign, and they are also planning one change from their previous match – which was a 1-0 defeat at Real Oviedo. Orri Oskarsson is sidelined with an injury, which will allow Brais Mendez to make a return to the starting XI.

Real Madrid have won their last three matches in Donostia-San Sebastian, so there will be a desire to continue that run on Saturday afternoon. However, that will be easier said than done.