[Real Madrid](https://www.managingmadrid.com) manager Xabi Alonso spoke to the media after their 3-0 win over RB Salzburg on Thursday night. Kiyan Sobhani of Managing Madrid asked him how much he knew about Gonzalo Garcia’s talents, and whether he was surprised at all. He said: “I knew him well. I’ve been following Castilla a lot. I knew a lot of Castilla players. To be honest, I am not surprised. He is a typical number 9. He reminds me of Raul — he’s always in the right position and always waiting for the chance. His work ethic is great. The players from Castilla — they get a chance and they fight for it. That’s what he’s doing. We need him more. We want him to be here and we’re happy for him.”
### Alonso on the match
“The first half was serious. We played well, working the game patiently, knowing that you don’t win in 10 minutes, but that you have to be mature enough to find your chances. And that’s how it turned out. In the second half, we started well and the 3-0... I’m happy with the lads. We’re making progress. And now the interesting phase begins.”
### Alonso on the press
“It will depend on the match, but we have to know how to do it. Today we stole a lot of balls in the opponent’s half during the first half... although it was harder in the second. But good work.”
### Alonso on what he wanted from Bellingham and Guler in midfield
“To have different heights. Jude brings that superiority between the lines and is very capable of arriving. And Arda at the base has a good foot, control, knows how to stick close to the defenders... He does it very well. I’m happy for both of them.”
### Alonso on which backheel he prefers — Guti’s or Vini’s
“Vini’s was very good, and I say that with all my affection, but I was on the pitch with Guti’s... and I’ll stick with that one. I was at Riazor and it blew me away. I saw it and said, ‘What happened?’ Although Vini’s was really good. Almost, almost.”
### Alonso on whether his Madrid are getting better
“We have Juve, I’m happier. The temperature and the pitch were better... We’re in the early stages. Caution.”
### Alonso on using three centre-backs
“It’s always been in my mind; the players have the football intelligence to understand why we use them. We had a lot of stability and control. The spaces in between were very good. I like the flexibility.”
### Alonso on Vinicius Jr
“I’m not just impressed by the goal and the assist. I’m impressed by his defensive commitment. It’s allowed us to play together. In attack, he’s had more freedom in the center and not wide. Gonzalo makes the center-backs work. I’m happy for _Vini;_ it’s good to have a good _feeling_ . We have to keep going; there’s still a long way to go.”
### Alonso on whether Gonzalo will stay after the Club World Cup
“There are no decisions regarding the start of the 2025-26 season... we’re focused on the World Cup with who we have. The World Cup tells you things, but there’s no decision.”
### Alonso on whether Vinicius Jr centrally and Mbappe on the wing could work
“They can do it, _Vini_ from the outside, Kylian from the inside... it’s not mutually exclusive, things can work, there’s individual quality, but we need the team to function. All together, not one, one, one... We have to benefit from the team.”
### Alonso on Kylian Mbappe’s fitness
“We want him back, we expect him to be in the best possible shape. I can’t say he’ll play, but we’re optimistic for Tuesday.”
### Alonso on Antonio Rudiger
He was suffering from cramps... he’d been out for almost two months. He’s a great asset to us. He played there \[in a three-at-the-back\] at Chelsea.”
### Alonso on Endrick
“He’s in the process of recovery. We want him back as soon as possible; he’ll soon be able to come to the United States to train with the team. I’m counting on him.”