Real Madrid Renews Rivalry with Oviedo After 24-Year Absence in La Liga

On August 24th, 2025, Real Madrid is set to face off against Real Oviedo in a highly anticipated La Liga matchup. The two teams have not met in the top flight for 24 years, with Oviedo's recent promotion back to the Spanish top division adding to the excitement surrounding this fixture.

For Real Madrid and manager Xabi Alonso, this game carries extra significance. Barcelona has made a powerful start to the 2025/26 campaign, and any slip-up from Madrid could prove costly in the long race for the title. The Blancos will be looking to build on their hard-fought 1-0 win over Osasuna in the opening week, showcasing resilience but also leaving room for improvement.

Oviedo, on the other hand, were handed a difficult welcome back to La Liga, suffering a 2-0 defeat against Villarreal in their first match. The newly promoted side will be eager to prove they belong on the big stage and cause an upset against the league giants.

Alonso is expected to field a strong lineup, with Thibaut Courtois in goal and a backline featuring the returning Antonio Rudiger alongside Eder Militao. In midfield, the trio of Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, and Arda Guler will look to control the tempo and break up Oviedo's play. Up front, the dynamic duo of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. will spearhead Madrid's attack, aiming to break down the visitors' defense.