Xabi Alonso: "It was an important, well-deserved win to start the year"

Xabi Alonso spoke to the media in the Bernabéu press room to assess the team's big win over Betis on LaLiga matchday 18: “It was an important, and well-deserved win to start the year at home. Getting underway like this is crucial, calmly and with positive feelings around the place ahead of the Super Cup. This is a valuable win in terms of the league. Barcelona won yesterday, and we need to win a lot of games. This was the last match of the first half of the season, and we’ve reached 45 points. That same total would take us to 90 in LaLiga. Now we have to keep winning games from now on. The pace will be intense right until the end. From tomorrow, we’ll be focused solely on the Super Cup.”
Gonzalo’s exhibition
“It was a dream game for him. Playing at the Bernabéu, first season with the first team, and to hit a hat-trick. He wanted to score here, and I’m happy for him, and with how he works every day whether or not he gets the chance to play. He has an unbelievable attitude and he's a fantastic example of what it means to be a Real Madrid academy graduate. I congratulate him on his performance, on the hat-trick, and I encourage him to keep going.”
“Football demands teamwork with and without the ball. Forwards start the press, defend high, and manage how the team presses. Gonzalo understands that very well—he’s aggressive, accelerates quickly, presses at the right time, and, most importantly, he scores goals. If you add that defensive capacity to his scoring ability, it really improves the team’s defensive balance.”

All five goals scored by academy players
“That’s a great stat. Having all five goals scored by academy players is fantastic news because of the great work being done and because they always respond when given the chance. Whoever deserves it gets the opportunity. This is football—the pitch gives you the chance and takes it. When you respond out there, it’s because you’ve worked hard and had the right attitude.”
Can you fit all the forwards in?
“That’s my decision. There are so many games, and we’ll see how it goes at any given moment or depending on our needs. I won't rule anything out.”
Vini Jr.
“He gave us a lot. He came into the game really well and was very influential, especially in the first half. He’s persistent and adds so much to the team. I enjoyed his performance and everything he contributed, and he’s going to have a fundamental role to play. Now we face Atlético in the Super Cup, and he’ll be very important.”
“He’s a mature player, and we’re all here to support each other. We want to show our best form, both as a team and individually. He is, will be, has been, and will continue to be fundamental for Real Madrid. I’m sure the Bernabéu will applaud him—I have no doubt.”
Rodrygo and Camavinga’s performances
“We need everyone, but Eduardo in particular, because of injuries—he’s been in and out and hasn’t had that continuity in training and games to improve. Hopefully, he gets that because we're well aware of his quality, energy, dynamism, and how hard he is to stop when he drives forward and breaks the lines. We need balance. Rodrygo can play all across the front three, and the more we involve him, the better the next move usually is. We need him at his best, and he put in a complete display. The year is only just starting.”
Mbappé’s recovery
“He’s not completely ruled out, and we’ll wait to see how he feels until Tuesday when we travel. Then we’ll make a decision. We’re still giving him a chance.”
Tchouaméni knock and substitution
“He’ll definitely be travelling to Arabia.”
Praise for Courtois
“The goalkeeper’s involvement is very important, and he’s eager to understand how we can build better from the back. We have to use him as an extra player. He’s good with his feet, understands the game well, and we can use him as a free man. He likes it, and we work on it a lot with him.”