Xavi Alonso finds himself under intense pressure at Real Madrid as they face Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Last weekend’s 0-2 loss to Celta Vigo attracted widespread attention, with Manchester City’s game considered to be the manager’s last chance to stabilize the team.
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Lists of possible replacements for the 44-year-old Basque tactician have also begun to circulate, increasing the pressure on him. Constant rumors about locker room discord and the team’s injury toll made matters worse.
Alonso, meanwhile, addressed the media at his pre-match press conference to discuss the situation at the club.
“It’s a big day and an opportunity to keep improving. It will be the atmosphere of a Champions League night. The fans know what kind of game we are in for,” Alonso said as he previewed tomorrow’s game against Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Speaking about how he plans to turn things around in the team’s favour, the Real Madrid boss commented:
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“We are mentally prepared to face everything. Everyone believes we can win tomorrow. We have to play with good rhythm and intensity. There is no doubt about it.”
When asked what he thought about the fact that Real Madrid put in one of their best performances of the season against Athletic Bilbao last week and then had an absolute disaster against Celta Vigo, Alonso said:
“After the Celta Vigo game we came to the conclusion as always. All we were thinking about was Manchester City and the Champions League. The atmosphere will be different.”
As mentioned earlier, there is growing talk about the divisions in Real Madrid’s dressing room. But when asked if he felt lonely in the dressing room, Alonso replied:
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“We are a team, we are together. When you become the manager of Real Madrid, you are ready. We are really looking forward to what is to come, which starts tomorrow.
“To turn around the anger, that’s normal. We are only thinking about Manchester City. In football, for better or worse, things can change very quickly.”
On whether he felt he had the support of the team, he replied: “Yes.”
If he had received any message from the board after the defeat to Celta Vigo, he added: “Communication is constant and we are all in this together.”
Under pressure. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Regarding rumors of a possible candidate to succeed him, he added: “When you coach Madrid you are prepared for every situation.”
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In this disappointing situation, Alonso’s message to fans is: “The process is parallel, just like ours. I’m sure over time they’ll get excited, just like we did.”
The job of coaching Real Madrid is not easy and the pressure is high, and Alonso admitted this, saying:
“It’s not about changes, it’s about adapting. I know Madrid very well. You have to adapt and learn. Some days are good, some days are bad. But we are improving every game. We have to face the situation. Turn it around.”
When asked if he was able to focus on the task at hand amid all the noise and speculation, the manager responded: “My focus is on the pitch. That’s what I can control, tomorrow’s game.”
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When talking about the next challenge facing Manchester City, he said: “The next one is the best. You have to face it. It’s a challenge.”
“This is Pep’s team and it is always developing. It has new players and also has some things that are less well-known than in recent years. It will be a great competitor.” he later added.
Alonso was also asked about how he and Real Madrid dealt with Vinicius Junior’s angry outburst after being substituted against Barcelona, and whether he should have done what Liverpool recently did with Mohamed Salah.
“These are the things they deal with there,” he responded.
Asked if he would still make the decision today, knowing how things have unfolded since then, Alonso replied:
“It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I have no doubt if I think it’s the right decision.”
Source:AS
