Xabi Alonso: "It's important to keep growing away from home"
"We're hungry to have a good year, everyone is committed, and that's fundamental," added our coach.
Xabi Alonso spoke to the press in the media room at Real Madrid City to assess the team’s LaLiga matchday two clash with Oviedo (Sunday, 9:30pm CEST): “I’m sure it’s the most special of games for Oviedo for two reasons. First, because they’re back in the top flight after so many years, and this will be their first home game, and second because they’ll be facing us.”
“After getting underway at home the other day, it’s going to be very important to keep growing away from home. We want to be competitive and show our best levels wherever we play. This is the third week since we came back now, but we’re eager for tomorrow’s game to come around.”
Mastantuono's debut
“He looked good. He had an impact and showed real energy. Whenever he’s in the squad, he’s in with a chance of playing, just like anyone else.”
Cazorla
“I haven’t spoken to him, as soon as the last game finished I started getting ready for tomorrow. I’ve been focused on us more than any social elements. I have wonderful memories of him, not just as a player but as a teammate. At Euro 2008, we had an incredible dressing room. He’s got a different role to play now but he’s so highly respected. In a football sense, he’s an exceptional player. I remember clearly the first impression we all had when he came in, he was amazing. I’m thrilled for him, for all he’s achieved, going back to where he grew up as a legend at Oviedo. I'll catch up with him tomorrow.”
Vini Jr.’s numbers
“As I said the other day, the context of the Club World Cup is a little different. As far as I'm concerned, the season started in the last game against Osasuna. We’ve only played one game, so we shouldn’t be getting too caught up on statistics. Everyone has an important role to play, I’m backing all of them. From the moment we name the squad until the moment we announce the starting eleven, anyone can have a big role in the team.”
The layout of the pitch in training
"These are the pitches we tend to train on for tactical work, in our lines, with and without the ball. They help us to stay ordered and give us some reference points, and that's something I've done ever since I started coaching, when addressing new concepts and ideas, so I think it helps. In competitive games we can't do it, but we can use it day to day. I've always done it like this, so that's continued here."
Why didn't Rodrygo play?
"From my perspective, the season and my time at the club starts now. The Club World Cup was something different, the squad we had, I knew it would be different to what we are building, so we've only played one game. Every decision about who plays, who makes the eleven, are mine, and I make my assessments with help from the coaching staff. We consider what we think is best for each game. Of course I speak to a lot of players, and I've spoken to Rodrygo as well."
How's Vini Jr. doing?
"I think he looks good. We're just starting out in the season, we've only had a week to prepare for the Osasuna game, and then a few now to get ready for Oviedo, it's not been long. He looks good to me and we're starting now. All the players are really keen, we know how important this year is, although every season is important at Madrid. We're hungry to have a good year, everyone is committed, and that's fundamental."
Set-pieces
“We haven’t had chance to work on them too much yet, but we have players with immense quality. Arda is really strong there, Trent as well. Mastantouno takes a great corner and free-kick, and Kylian took a few last year too. We haven’t been able to focus on it yet because there are other things to look at first, but we are blessed with various options.”
Is the squad complete?
"I'm happy with the squad we have, but you always have to be open minded. I don't know what will happen, but I'm happy with my squad."
Enjoy all the videos from this match on RM Play
Mastantuono's position
"I think he can play all along the front three, or also as a number ten. I know he often played at 10 for River, in that traditional playmaker role, and then he started getting used to the wide positions as well. I think he's got the quality to play in both areas - a bit further forward, or slightly deeper. He's got the mobility, the ability to link up with those around him. He likes playing with others, he's not only about individual moves. He enjoys the link-up play. From where that happens, whether it's higher up or a little deeper, he can do it - though he won't be at the base of midfield. We're thinking of playing him higher up than that."
Bellingham and the system
"I think it's a system where Jude can fit in quite nicely. We have to adapt a bit, I'd be foolish to think we won't get any more injuries for the rest of the year. We'll have to live with the injuries, like what we've got now with Jude, Camavinga, Endrick and Mendy. They will happen again in the future. We can't only think about nailed-on starters, nobody is going to play every single minute. There will be rotation, every player is going to get game time, everyone will have a role to play. Of course, the minutes will then be shared around more or less."
Chants for Mastantuono at the Bernabéu
"I focus on the player, and Franco looks good to me. He's training well and settling in nicely with his teammates. It feels like he's been here for longer than he has, and he's smiling a lot so I don't think he's too worried."
Mbappé's importance
"I try and help him, get the team to help him, and ensure he helps the team win games, which means he has to feel content. This is about the team and Kylian is a key part of that, due to the weight and influence he exerts over the group. As things improve and pieces fall into place, he'll be a vital part of our season in terms of how we play as a team. We have fantastic players, but our strength lies in our efforts as a team."
His approach and systems
"Of course we've discussed it. We talk a lot about how we play and how we can improve with the few games we've had so far. With the little information we've got, we have to analyse it, to see what we can do to get better. I think there are profiles of player to fit into the different systems, as long as we are clear in our ideas and know why we want to do things. We've already used a three at the back to see how that looked, and we're able to enjoy that flexibility because certain players have already played in other systems and understand them well."
Preparations compared to Barcelona
"I'm not at all concerned. I'm worried about our level and how we're playing. We're going to get better with each passing week, as we grow as a team, and that's all I'm focused on."