Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso spoke to the media ahead of Sunday’s game against Alaves. Asked about his future and the noise around him, he said: “The most important thing for me is the team and the club. Tomorrow is important for the game and we want to change the dynamic. That’s our game tomorrow.”
Alonso on Sunday
“Despite the casualties, we have enough quality and 11 Madrid players will be on the field tomorrow to give everything. I am sure there will be commitment and desire. This is an important game.”
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Alonso on whether defeat is worth celebrating
“No, but we did do a lot of things. There were some positive things. This has happened, but we have positive things that we need for the future. The near future is tomorrow.”
Alonso is in poor form
“I’ve been working in football for many years. I’m not surprised by anything that might happen. These are normal things, things that have happened and things that will happen in the future. They have to face the responsibility of this position and what we represent. From that point on, it’s time to try and turn things around. It’s not something that surprises me too much.”
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Alonso’s sacked coaches so far
“I have been training for many years. In Spanish football, certainly in the past, there have been a lot of suspensions at this point. I think in what we have seen this season, two coaches have been sacked in the league. My impression is that football is very demanding and there have certainly been more suspensions at other times. I leave the job to you there; I have a lot now and I will not take it anymore.”
Alonso on Kylian Mbappe
“We have Kellyanne back. He’s playing well and we’ll see tomorrow. That’s good news.”
Alonso on other casualties
“There were no other casualties after the game against Manchester City, but we had three people sanctioned and that is part of the game. We have built the team with Castilla players; whenever they come on, they provide quality training and tomorrow we will go with those who are fit and those who help us.”
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Alonso talks about his relationship with the team
“I’ve always felt like we have a good relationship and we always strive for a common goal. We didn’t win the other day, but there’s no blame on us. Looking ahead to tomorrow, we need the common goal we came here for.”
Alonso on the leader of this team
“We’re in the locker room every day. We live in good times and not so good times. We also think if we go through these difficult moments and reverse that dynamic, we can grow. Maybe in the future we’ll look back and say what we had, but we’re here. We have experienced guys.”