Xabi Alonso: "Real ready to face top clubs like Juve. Mbappè is fine, he can play"
Xabi Alonso started coaching Real Madrid less than a month ago and now he is already facing the first crossroads: beating Juventus to fly to the quarterfinals and continue chasing his first trophy as coach of the Galactics. The former midfielder, however, does not trust the Bianconeri: "Juventus is a strong team with clear ideas - he said -, on an individual level they have good players, but we are ready to face them. We are in the round of 16 and we know that we have to play against the strongest teams in the world. It will be a very important and difficult match, they also got through the groups like us".
The big doubt concerns the use of Mbappé, who has returned to the group after gastroenteritis: "Kylian is better, tomorrow we will see whether to play him or not, but there is a good chance that he will go on the pitch. He is a leader, he always has been, but our mission must be a collective one. We cannot be motivated only when he is there or play well only when we have the ball".
Xabi took over from Ancelotti, whom his son Davide called the best in the world, putting Alonso in second place: “I have a really good relationship with Davide and Carlo had a fantastic career, I am very grateful to him. Now I have a fantastic team”. The coach insisted a lot on the concept of team, even if there are many outstanding individuals in his team: “I was immediately clear with my players, I told them that it is important to play as a team and know how to manage stress levels. In terms of attitude, they are doing the right things”.
In his daily work, he and his staff help themselves with drones: “We try to record all the sessions and then review them as best as possible from all angles. I think many clubs do that. The World Cup has been a big challenge so far, we knew the competition would be intense but we are ready. Now it’s time to prove it on the pitch”.
If they advance, Real could face Sergio Ramos, now at Monterrey: “I’ve played many games with him, we have a great friendship. He’s 40 years old and he’s still a fantastic player. I hope to get to the quarterfinals and be able to face him.” The heat doesn’t worry him, nor do injuries: “We’ll try to stay more hydrated, we’ve been here for several days so we’re a bit used to it. This is the third week since we started. Here everything is very fast, the workload is distributed differently, but I’m not afraid of injuries, we’re not thinking about the possible long-term effects. We’re ready for anything. Every game increases the momentum and enthusiasm.”
Xabi was at Real as a player and has now returned in a different role: “A lot has changed compared to when I was a footballer and I am very happy to be here. In these two weeks in America I have had the opportunity to get to know the players better. After three seasons at Bayer we understood each other immediately, here it will take more time to create a united group, things will become increasingly fluid and easier. However, I am happy with how they have started”. As for Alexander-Arnold, who arrived in June and was immediately thrown onto the pitch, Alonso explained: “I am happy with how things are going. Alexander can play with a three or four-man defence. In the first match we had not yet entered the mood of the competition, but he is settling in and can always do better”.
La Gazzetta dello Sport
