Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said the team's shortened pre-season will not be used as an excuse as they prepare to kick off their La Liga campaign at home to Osasuna on Tuesday."Obviously it would have been nice to receive some support with our request,

Real Madrid tried long and hard to see their first La Liga game of the new season postponed or rescheduled given the dire shortage of rest in their hectic calendar. After all, it has been just over a