Xabi Alonso: "It will be an intense game and we need to perform at a high level"
"We're up for it and we want to keep progressing in this Club World Cup," added the Madrid coach.
Xabi Alonso spoke to the media in the press room of MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on the day before the quarter-final of the Club World Cup, which sees Real Madrid take on Borussia Dortmund (Saturday, 10 pm CEST, 4 pm local time). Before answering the journalists' questions, the coach offered a few words in memory of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva: "We would like to send our condolences and a heartfelt hug to his family. It was very sad news and we started the day with a very sobering feeling. We talked about it and on behalf of myself and the club we want to send our best wishes to their family and children."
He went on to speak about the game ahead: "After the last-16 tie against Juve you want to advance further and the next step is the quarter-finals and Dortmund. They're a top team in Europe, they're used to competing and they played in the final against us in 2024. It will be an intense game and we need to perform at a high level. We're looking forward to it."
"We're in the action. Sometimes it goes better and sometimes it goes worse, but we need that energy and that tempo because we either go home or go on. We have to feel that adrenaline. With the cooling break, you try to give the instructions you can and make them as effective as possible. We're having good phases, but we have to keep working to have more continuity and not lose concentration. We're working on it.”
Borussia Dortmund
“Tomorrow's Dortmund side is more like the one I faced in May against Bayer than the one that faced Madrid. They're different squads. Since Niko took over, they've been on an upward trend. They're competing well.”
"Niko has put together a team that blends in very well. We know that Guirassy is a threat and his first year was spectacular. Adeyemi too. It's going to be a very tough team. The last two years, they've done better in Europe than in Germany. They're a solid team up top and at the back. It's going to be a tough game."
Mbappé
“He’s doing better. He's been recovering day by day and we'll decide tomorrow morning if he's going to start. There are things you leave open until the last moment and this is one of them. I like the players to know before the press does.”
The forwards
“I'm counting on all three. Endrick is still recovering. When it comes to planning the squad, we're not that far down the road. It's more about immediate performance, for the Club World Cup, and we'll make the decisions afterwards.”
Gonzalo
“He's doing very well and he's making the most of the opportunity with his hard work, goals and the desire he's showing. We're pleased with him and that’s what we're expecting.”
Could Gonzalo and Mbappé play together?
“Of course, it depends on the moment and the needs. They can complement each other, I'm not ruling it out if the context calls for it.”
His system on the pitch
“Time is running out and everything gets a bit more limited. Tchouameni can combine playing as a central defender and as a midfielder. We're not going to stick to one idea and the tactical diversity will give us alternatives to look for solutions. We'll see Dortmund's approach and we'll have to look for solutions in the match and the players, who know their opponents well, will have to do that.”
Valverde
“I'm not going to put my career on the line by saying a number of goals, but he's a threat from outside the box and coming in from the second line. He's a very complete player. If he has to play at the base, he does, and I think he's going to score a lot of goals this season, but I'm not going to bet on it. Fede gives his all and he was in some discomfort, but he's recovered for tomorrow.”
Tchouameni
“I saw him a lot, but in the end you have to get to know him and see that he has the ability to adapt. He's intelligent and that position for me is crucial.”
Injuries
“It will be the same squad as before. Camavinga is better, but it's too early for tomorrow. Militão and Carvajal are training and we'll see what happens.”
Arda Güler
“You have to try to anticipate rather than react. If your position is better, you get to the duel earlier. That's the process you have to go through. It's time to invest so that there is progress. He's doing well and we keep pushing him to develop. He can make mistakes and he has to accept them.”
"He has many qualities and is a special player. He has a broad passing repertoire and we play better with him. He presses well, but he has to learn and develop his game better. Expectations are high in Turkey, but we have to help him continue to thrive."
Rodrygo
“I'm sure he can get back to his best. He's in a positive frame of mind, eager and ready for when he's needed.”
Modrić
“I feel very privileged to have him. It's a pleasure to have him and to witness how he has a positive impact on the whole team. The other players need to absorb all his knowledge.”
How to manage burnout?
“In the latter stages of games, there are players with problems, and it's something you have to live with. It's not just us. We try to make the changes a bit earlier.”
The Club World Cup
“This Club World Cup is showing us the high competitive level of other leagues that we Europeans aren't so familiar with. It is good for the world of football.”
Mastantuono
“He’ll be joining when he’s 18.”
The pre-season
“We'll all need holidays and then not much training time, most of it in Valdebebas. It's going to be an unusual and reduced pre-season.”