Xabi Alonso: “It's a big match, a classic in European football”
“We have players with plenty of experience and who respond well and are more motivated when they're under pressure. I have faith in them,” said the Madrid coach.
Xabi Alonso spoke to the media the day before the game against Liverpool, on matchday four of the Champions League, which will be played at Anfield (Tuesday, 9 pm CET). The Madrid coach had this to say on the match ahead: “It's a big match, a classic in European football in terms of history and the present. It's a match that the fans love to watch and both Trent and I have our history here and it's always good to return to a place that has loved you so much. Tomorrow we'll do our jobs, which is to perform well and get a good result.”
“Many have experienced the atmosphere at Anfield for the worse recently and for the better not so long ago. There are moments in games when it feels like the stadium is roaring and a positive energy is created for them, but we have players with a lot of experience and in heated atmospheres, they respond well and are more motivated. I have a lot of faith in them. It's the players who are on the pitch. I'm on the bench and there are moments when I'm out of control. The mental preparation for these matches is important and the quality of both football and personality will be very important tomorrow.”
Plenty of goals in the Champions League
“It's something you have to keep in mind when you have the opportunity. When Juve were pressing and the objective was to win the game. When you have a favourable result and you see weakness in the opponent, it's a good opportunity to score goals because, after last year's experience, when you didn't know how the format was going to work out in the last few rounds, you see that the strongest teams this year are picking up more points in the first few rounds. They're going to be in the top 8 or 12. Last year, there were more surprises, but we're learning. When we have the chance to score goals, they can be decisive to finish as high as possible because you can finish eighth or ninth and that changes.”
On his return to Anfield
“I try not to let emotions get the better of me too much because I want to stay focused for the game and approach it the same way we do every game. I don't want that to change my preparation or the connection with the players or what we have to do. Whatever has to happen will happen, but I try to distance myself a bit from the emotionality that these games sometimes have when I come here or to Anoeta.”
On coaching Madrid instead of Liverpool
“I also did it at Leverkusen. It's the way I understand is the best way to prepare for the match. Not because of any suspicion or conspiracy. We want to prepare for the game and at Valdebebas, we control the environment better. If we do that here, we're giving clues to our opponents for tomorrow and I don't think that's the smartest thing to do.”
Trent
“He's fine, he's available, and the other day he didn't play because of the context of the game. He can play and after his injury, we need him because he has great quality. It's a new stage for him both on a sporting and personal level and we have to help him and give him what he needs to perform because he's an exceptional footballer that we have in this squad. He has to enjoy this game in his own way. His story is different to mine. He was born here. I remember when he was a little boy and he was in the academy. It's nice to be back and it's going to be nice for him.”
On his spell as a Liverpool player
“It influenced me a lot because it wasn't an insubstantial step. I spent five years with Rafa Benítez and I learnt a lot about football at the highest level. It's not just about playing the games but also thinking about them and preparing for them. Having that curiosity helped me to be here at this moment. If you like football, you like to play for a club like this. Liverpool and Real Madrid are huge in Europe. Those were very good years that helped me a lot as a player, but I'm sure they also helped me as a coach. I still remember a lot of things from that time that help me in my day-to-day life.”
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His curious story as a penalty taker at Liverpool
“I'm sure some of your English colleagues remember, but we had already reached the Champions League final and in the last league game, at home to Tottenham, Gerrard missed the penalty. A week later, we were playing in the Champions League final and Benitez decided that the penalty takers were either me or Harry Kewell. When the penalty was taken Harry had already been substituted and it was my turn. I hadn't taken any professional penalties and at the second attempt, it went in and it changed my story as a player and Liverpool's because it was the 3-3 draw in that final that most of you will remember.”
The penalty takers
“I said this in the previous press conference, we set who the taker is, and in this case, it is Kylian. Then decisions are made. Tomorrow, the first on the list will be Kylian.”
Free-kick takers
“We have different takers. Kylian could be one of them. The players have to decide on the pitch. We guide them. On free kicks, there are other players who can shoot depending on the profile and the distance. They decide.”
Arbeloa's work at Castilla and the honourable mention he gave him
“I don't give myself marks. At the end of the season. I know what a reserve team is like and they're improving upon how they started and I'm very happy for everyone and for Álvaro in particular. I give him the credit back because they're doing a great job and they're in the play-off places. The grades will come in June. We're working on the set pieces.”
Ancelotti's comments on Vini Jr and his substitution in the Clásico
“I said it last week. It was very important that we spoke about it on Wednesday and that he spoke about it with the teammates and with me. It was resolved. These are things that can happen and we don't want them to happen again. The issue was closed and that's where it stayed.”
Wirtz
“I have no doubts. It'll be a matter of time. It's a big change for him to come to Liverpool after so many years in Germany. His whole life. He has to adapt. He's a very special player. He has special qualities and a special personality. He's very competitive and it's happened with a lot of players who have come to the Premier League. I thank him and he's probably one of the reasons why I'm here. I hope it's not tomorrow, but I'm excited for him to start showing his qualities and his class.”