Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso led his second pre-match press conference in the job on Saturday evening, this time ahead of the Club World Cup game against Pachuca, speaking from Charlotte, North Carolina.
One of the topics raised came from Kiyan Sobhani of Managing Madrid, who asked about Arda Güler’s public statement on preferring to play in a midfield role, rather than the right wing. Addressing the question, Xabi Alonso said that, “I agree with Arda that he needs to be close to the ball. He’s one player that is special because the more touches he has, normally the better plays himself and better plays the team. The other day, he had a very good impact in the second half as he was close to where everything’s happening, I think that it helps him.”
Xabi Alonso on what he expects
“It’s an intense match, we want to win, it’s a short competition. We need to feel better about ourselves, we want a more complete game with and without the ball.”
Xabi Alonso on whether Vinícius has lost the joy in his game
“I don’t think he needs to get it back, I think he’s fine, but we all want to push him to be decisive as he has been so many times before. He has that unpredictable style of play that makes him different. When he can connect with his essence on the pitch, he is fundamental.”
Xabi Alonso on whether he needs a creative midfielder
“We’re in the middle of the Club World Cup, we’re not thinking about how to improve the squad. I do believe that with the players we have, we can have a dominant midfield, with different profiles, I’m convinced of that, we’ll see, for sure.”
Xabi Alonso on Kylian Mbappé’s fitness
“He’s better, he’s back from the hospital and recovering. We’re optimistic that he’ll be available against Salzburg.”
Xabi Alonso on Gonzalo García
“He can contribute what he did the other day. He’s a striker who can be a reference point. He had three chances in addition to the goal. We didn’t have many players in the box. We’ll see about the future. Right now, we’re focused on this competition. Decisions will be made later.”
Xabi Alonso on whether the players are anxious
“I haven’t noticed that at all. I’ve noticed a desire to improve, to do things differently because there’s a new coaching staff, which shakes things up a bit on a day-to-day basis, but I sense ambition and positive calm.”
Xabi Alonso on the feeling after drawing with Al Hilal
“The first half wasn’t good, the second was better, we were more dominant. That’s the thread we’ve been pulling on, and also what we don’t want to see repeated. Sometimes wanting to do so much so quickly is counterproductive. Prioritising is important.”
Xabi Alonso on whether he needs a player like he was
“The challenge with the players we have is to make this midfield work well.”
Xabi Alonso on his use of video as a tool
“It’s essential. Sometimes you can’t do more because the players have to recover, it’s hot, in the afternoons you try to make them efficient, they almost train visually.”
Xabi Alonso on Antonio Rüdiger being in the squad
“Antonio, yes, he’s been cleared. We have to take it gradually. The rest hasn’t changed much.”
Xabi Alonso on who will be penalty-taker
“We’ll decide before each game, we have it set, but it will also depend on who is available. You’ll see, you can start making your predictions.”
Xabi Alonso on Pachuca coach Jaime Lozano
“He has a new challenge with Pachuca, I saw the friendly against Al Ahly, and they could have easily drawn against Salzburg too. They have different players who have come together for the Club World Cup, but they are a daring team with good footwork.”
Xabi Alonso on Dani Ceballos not playing against Al Hilal
“We’ve talked over the last few days, he can bring us a lot, he has quality and understands the game. He’ll have a role to play during the year. He didn’t play the other day, but we’re counting on him.”
Xabi Alonso on the adaptation process
“We have many ideas, but we have to choose the right ones, that’s what can make us improve sooner.”
Xabi Alonso on Aurélien Tchouameni as a central defender
“He’s a key player in the squad, because of his weight and his different roles, he’s constantly making small decisions to help the team. He wants to be important and that willingness is very important.”
Xabi Alonso on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s role coming inside
“He’s done it at Liverpool and sometimes with England. He’s not just an outside player, he can go inside.”
Xabi Alonso on how much tactical work the team is doing
“Very little for now. We’ll try to find solutions while we establish the things we want to put in place. We want to be flexible, understand what our opponents are doing and how we can do it ourselves.”
Xabi Alonso on his role model as a coach
“I’ve absorbed. Then you have to feel it, be authentic, if you don’t feel it, it’s very difficult to convey it.”
Xabi Alonso on Real Oviedo’s promotion, as their owners are also Pachuca’s owners
“Congratulations to Oviedo, it was 24 years. A shame for Mirandés, I have friends there. Happy for my friend Santi Cazorla who made that great gesture of returning there, with his charisma and because he is a unique player.”