Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso spoke to the media ahead of their first Club World Cup match against Al-Hilal on Wednesday. Managing Madrid’s Kiyan Sobhani asked Alonso about Kylian Mbappe’s defensive work, and how important that will be, to which he said: “Well, what I know is that nowadays you need a team that presses like a unit. We have 11 individuals; we have to make them work together and do defensive work. Nowadays, it’s so important, and for sure, it’s something we have to address. And so far, in just a few days, we have tried to do it. And, for the short term, and for sure in the long term, it’s going to be very decisive in our performance.”
Alonso on working with the players
“We’ve been here for a few days, and little by little, we’re getting people back. The internationals in one, those who played in the US later... but I think it’s the distances, the positioning. That’s what will make us better. Knowing where we need to be, positioning ourselves, being a more “together” team.”
Alonso on the match vs Al-Hilal
“We have to prepare for the match as best we can. They’ll be a tough opponent, no doubt. But we have to focus on ourselves. They haven’t even debuted yet under Simone Inzaghi, so we don’t know how they’ll play.
“Simone Inzaghi hasn’t had much time to work, but he has a team with enormous quality: Mitrovic, Milinkovic-Savic, Malcom... it’s a very strong club, one that was fighting for the Asian Champions League. And they have a coach who has been in the Champions League final. We’ll see what happens tomorrow. But it will be a very intense challenge.”
Alonso on Mbappe’s health
“Kylian felt a little better this morning, but not enough. It’s very hot, and it was better for him not to train. But we’ll wait until the last minute. We’ll decide tomorrow morning. As for the rest... they’re keen, but they’re at different stages. Rüdiger put in a tremendous effort this season, and I don’t know if he’ll be called up tomorrow, but he’s progressing well and will be the first to return. The rest will need a little more time. Camavinga is also improving quickly, but he needs time.”
Alonso on Jude Bellingham’s positioning
“He has the ability to cover a lot of ground, but he has to start from the right position. He has the soul of a midfielder, he likes to create, and he has the ability to reach the goal. We’ve talked about the starting point, but he’s very dynamic. “
Alonso on balance
“Nowadays, it’s essential to have balance. There must be commitment, and everyone must be involved in every phase. I want a team that’s united; we’ve talked about it; because that will make things much easier for us. I’m sure that on the last day of the tournament we’ll be a better team than the one we started with, because we’ll be correcting things. The starting point is tomorrow; we’ll see where we end up.”
Alonso on igniting the players
“That’s a question for them. I’ve sensed they’re eager and excited, after completing a fantastic era. There are new faces and the reception has been positive. The moment is good for everyone. The “ignition” aspect... we have to show it on the field. Tomorrow, Rock & Roll begins.”
Alonso on whether he is worried about heat
“I’m not worried at all because it’s what it is and there’s nothing we can do about it. Of course, it’s a setback, but we have to accept it and adapt.”
Alonso on the work they are putting in
“The day-to-day work is very good, and the individual quality is enormous. Although I already knew that. Now it’s about working hard. I greatly respect and value the work of Carlo, the most successful coach. But now we’re starting a new phase, and it will be our way. Although I’m receiving a very good foundation.”
Alonso on Rodrygo
“I can say up to a point. I know the end of the season wasn’t easy for him, but he took a significant amount of time to reset. It wasn’t with the national team either. We’ve been talking from the very beginning... and I see him eager. He’s a player with enormous quality; we’ve shared things, and it’s time to put them into practice.”
Alonso on Dani Ceballos
“We talk every day... and he’s a very intelligent player, but we haven’t had the ‘big conversation’ yet. But we have talked about the team, about what we can be. And I’m very happy with him.”
Alonso on whether Real Madrid are contenders
“Any competition Real Madrid plays in... they’re a contender. But we’re not thinking about July 13th. Everything will come, but first, let’s be a team player. Let’s work little by little. Let’s see how we want to play. The starting point is tomorrow, when there will certainly be things missing, but we can’t get frustrated. It’s time to take steps.”
Alonso on Franco Mastantuono
Regarding Franco... we’re happy, because he’s a kid with a fantastic present and an incredible future. His maturity translates off the pitch. I was impressed by the conversations I had with him: by his ambition and maturity. Things don’t happen by chance. We’re following him at River Plate, where he’s taking steps that have led him to Real Madrid. He’ll be very important.”
Alonso on how he is feeling
“Eager, obviously. It’s all well and good to train and talk, but you want to see the team performing. The game will tell us a lot. We want to win, and we’re going for it; that’s the first thing; but how we do it will also matter.”
Alonso on Luka Modric
“It’s very easy to work with Luka because we’ve always had a very good relationship. As teammates, friends, and now, as player-coach. There’s enough trust to talk about. I like seeing how he influences young players. We want to enjoy him because he’s a legendary player. Being able to squeeze him a little longer, until the very last day, will be a luxury.”
Alonso on how long it will take for things to ‘work’
“I don’t know, but we’ve been working on this project since day one. And I’m very happy with the squad, with the signings. Huijsen and Trent are great players, people who don’t need a lot of training or a lot of theory. They learn quickly. A process is underway, and we’ll start tomorrow.”
Alonso on Endrick and Arda Guler’s minute
“Adaptation processes take time. Luka, for example, went from strength to strength. Arda, Endrick... they’re natural processes. This second year, they’ll get a little more into it. It’s all natural.”
Alonso on Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold
“For any coach, it’s a privilege to have players of that caliber in a position. Trent is more versatile... and with Carvajal, we’re eager for him to return. But I can say that Trent’s impact, so far, has been very good. This whole issue is a real pain.”
Alonso on meeting Vinicius Jr
“I didn’t know him, but I recognized him in ten seconds. His personality, his way of communicating... it’s very passionate, emotional. And you have to be around him. I really like these players. He has a big heart, that’s what I’ve felt in these few days.”
Alonso on Mbappe’s goalscoring
“He’s a dynamic striker, not a positional striker, not a box-based striker. The idea isn’t to have fixed players. Because Kylian isn’t a key number nine... but he is a number nine who scores a lot of goals.”
Alonso on what can’t be missing tomorrow
“A hunger to win, to compete, to want to play well. We have to combine many things, but that self-respect, that team spirit, that defending the badge... the team already has it, but we have to work at it. We have to be a team.”
Alonso on focus
“I get the feeling they’re very focused, because there are a lot of new stimuli: country, tournament, new coach... the players are quite alert, absorbing all the ideas we’re working on. We’re eager to play, because we have that hunger.”
Alonso on the level of the Brazilian players in the squad
“They haven’t surprised me; they’re playing at a very high level. They’re going to be tough opponents. Every time they go to world competitions, they prove it... and this is new for everyone. The World Cup for international teams is huge, but now we can make this competition even bigger, one that unites the entire football world. Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Austria. It’s a competition with many attractions, because we focus on Europe, and we think there’s nothing more to it, but we’re very wrong, because there are some very good teams abroad. And these days it’s proving itself.”