Huijsen surpasses Sergio Ramos’ record on Real Madrid’s Bernabéu debut

Young defender shines in win over Osasuna,second only to Mbappé in ratings

Real Madrid’s Dean Huijsen made a dream debut at the Santiago Bernabéu, helping the Merengues secure a victory over Osasuna in La Liga. While Kylian Mbappé scored the decisive goal, it was the young defender who stole the spotlight, breaking a record previously held by club legend Sergio Ramos.
Breaking Sergio Ramos’ Benchmark

According to SofaScore, Huijsen became just the second defender in La Liga history to attempt more than 15 long balls with over 85% accuracy in a single match. He achieved a remarkable 94.1% success rate, surpassing Ramos’ previous best of 88.2%.

The 19-year-old’s precision and composure made him one of Madrid’s standout performers. Behind only Mbappé, Huijsen was the team’s highest-rated defender with an 8.5 score, underlining his immediate impact.

Xabi Alonso Calls Out the Attack

While Huijsen impressed at the back, coach Xabi Alonso expressed frustration with the attacking trio. Despite dominating possession and pinning Osasuna deep, Madrid’s forwards failed to capitalize on their chances.

“The attackers need to do more to unlock compact defenses,” Alonso admitted post-match, emphasizing the need for sharper execution in the final third.

A Defender for the Future

Defensively, Madrid looked untroubled as Huijsen and Éder Militão limited Osasuna to just two shots all game. More importantly, the youngster displayed his trademark ball-playing ability, consistently linking play with Vinícius Júnior and Mbappé.

Huijsen, who already showed promise during his loan at Bournemouth, is seen by the coaching staff as more than just a solid defender. His creativity from the backline is being refined by Alonso, who views him as a long-term asset in Madrid’s evolving style.