The coach spoke before the derby against Atlético Madrid
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso spoke on Friday ahead of his first Madrid derby in charge of Los Blancos, addressing his preparation for the game by explaining, “I haven’t seen the last few derbies because there have been quite a few changes in the players, I’ve focused more on the present”. He added that, “Atleti is evolving. They’ve made some smart changes this year. It’s early days and they’ll be aiming for everything this season. It won’t just be emotional, it’ll be tactically and physically demanding too. They’re a team with a lot of energy. We have to be prepared for the high tempo. Day-to-day training is going well and that helps.”
Xabi Alonso on the derby
“On the one hand, there’s the preparation for the game, but then of course it’s a derby. It’s very emotional. We’re expecting a great atmosphere, a powerful one. We hope it will make us play with energy and concentration.”
Xabi Alonso on whether he could match Diego Simeone’s 14 years at Atlético
“What he has done is very important. I’m just starting out, I like to take it step by step. I don’t set myself such long-term goals.”
Xabi Alonso on whether 100 points is possible
“It’s very difficult, but every game is very difficult to win. We can’t be complacent. Just because we take to the field doesn’t mean we’re going to win. We have to be consistent in our performance. The more we train ourselves to be active, the more games we’ll win. If we have that natural activation, we can get a lot of points.”
Xabi Alonso on the atmosphere at the Metropolitano
“It’s a nice atmosphere, derbies are special. Even in the days leading up to it, you can feel it in the city and the community. When you know what’s at stake, it motivates you more, you want to do well. We expect a powerful atmosphere.”
Xabi Alonso on whether Jude Bellingham could start
“You already asked me that. Both he and Camavinga could start.”
Xabi Alonso on his feelings ahead of his first derby as coach
“It is different going to the Metropolitano with Madrid. Because of the rivalry. It’s nice and hopefully we can enjoy it tomorrow too. The league table doesn’t say much, but the game will be difficult. We’ll have to work hard.”
Xabi Alonso on Franco Mastantuono
“Franco has a lot of good things going for him. He’s only 18 years old. He’s adapted very well. I love how competitive he is. He has a lot of energy. Then we have to give him order and structure. But that competitive gene is essential in our team. We’re going to enjoy it. We have everyone ready. Everyone has recovered well. No one is injured or anything. We’ll decide tomorrow.”
Xabi Alonso on Jude Bellingham’s best position
“He’s an attacking midfielder. He can participate in the build-up and the finish. He has that ability to cover a lot of ground. We have to get the most out of him so that he can make a difference. I need his flexibility and versatility. Some players are more static, and Jude is not one of them.”
Xabi Alonso on what the next step is
“We’ve done a lot of things right. The more flexible we can be, the better. We have to try to be unpredictable too. We have the technical and physical ability, but without the ball we’ve taken steps forward and we can’t lose that.”
Xabi Alonso on several players never having played at the Metropolitano
“There’s always a first time for everything. We need everyone for tomorrow and for them to have that feeling. So they can experience the build-up, the game itself, and the aftermath. Some celebrate and others don’t, but that’s the story of derbies.”
Xabi Alonso on Sergio Busquets
“First, I’d like to congratulate him on his career. Busi has been a great teammate. We’ve really enjoyed playing together. As a midfield partner, he never confused me because he’s a player who supports the team. He’s very intelligent. He wasn’t the fastest, but he was the fastest with his head. He was always a step ahead to make the right decision. We all speak very fondly of Busi. I hope he enjoys his last few games and gets some rest.”
Xabi Alonso on whether Koke should’ve been sent off against Rayo Vallecano
“My opinion is irrelevant. Those are past actions that have been judged. I have nothing to say.”
Xabi Alonso on whether he’ll ask Vinícius to focus on the pitch, not the stands
“We mustn’t stray from what has happened. We have to be prepared. For the weapons we have. Vini is fundamental for us. I liked what he did the other day, I like to see him smile. And for us, the preparation will be the same.”
Category: General Sports
