Xabi Alonso: “We're in for an intense game and we want to play well and win it"

Xabi Alonso spoke to the media gathered in the press room at Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium. Our coach analysed the match-up against Pachuca in the second game of the Club World Cup: “I'm expecting an intense game. We want to play well and win it. In such a short competition, after the draw the other day, we have to win it and finish with a more positive impression. We want to see a more complete performance both with and without the ball. We've had five training sessions and everything takes time, but the schedule forces you to compete. We're here and hungry to play tomorrow."

On Vini Jr.
“I don't think we have to get him back. I think he looks good, but we want to push all the guys to help him be as decisive as he has been so often in the past. He's got that quality and a unique and unpredictable approach to football. When he's able to bring out that essence on the pitch, he makes a huge contribution to the team. We hope he'll have a key role to play tomorrow, and I'm sure that will be the case for the rest of the season."

Midfield
“We can have a dominant midfield and we have to work on it. You can achieve that with different profiles, we'll assess it over time."

How's Mbappé feeling?
“He's better. He was released from hospital a couple of days ago and he's recovering. As the days go by, we're optimistic we can get him back in time for the game against Salzburg."

What can Gonzalo offer?
“He can bring exactly what you saw the other day. He's a great reference point up top. He got the goal and had another three chances. It's vital to have strikers with that eye for a goal. We had other players around him who aren't so much about being in and around the box, and Gonzalo did a great job. We'll see what the future holds, but we're fully focused on this competition."

Is there a concern about playing well?
“I haven't felt that, I've seen a desire to improve and to be involved in the process of doing things differently, with new ideas. That stirs you up a bit day-to-day. I see ambition and a positive sense of calm. Tomorrow is about competing and playing with intensity."

Impressions from the first game
“The first half wasn't very good. It wasn't what we're looking for. In the second, the team reacted well and we were more positive. By playing with the ball and linking up a little more, we asserted our dominance. That's the line we have to follow. It's counter-productive to try and do too much in a short period of time."

Would you like a Xabi Alonso the player in the middle of the park?
“The challenge now is making the midfield work with the player's we've got. We don't need to talk about the future, we're focused on the present. We're in the middle of a Club World Cup and I'm pleased we can get to know each other, help each other and move down what we think is the right path."

Videos in preparation
“Video plays a crucial role in these periods where you have only two or three days between games. Part of the training session is out on the pitch but often you can't do too much because the players have to recover and it's pretty hot. Given they're at the hotel in the evenings, we try and be efficient with the images. We use it a lot, collectively and individually, or in areas of the pitch. That's something we want to do throughout the season."

The pressure
“We have to live with it. We focus on the things we can control. Sometimes you can't control the results, but you can make decisions such as substitutions, or how you prepare for the match. That's what I can do."

Injuries
“Rüdiger has been given the okay to come back into the squad following his surgery. He'll be very important to us. We have to take it easy, but we're pleased. The rest hasn't changed much from a medical perspective. They all need a little longer, and we have to be patient. They're long-term injuries."

Penalty-takers
“We always have that clear before a match. We decide. It depends on the game and who's on the pitch. You'll work it out by process of elimination."

Enjoy all the videos from this match on RM Play

On Güler
“Arda is one of those players who needs to be on the ball. He's really special. The more he gets on the ball, the more he'll help the team. He played really well in the second half. The closer he is to the action, the better."

His opinion on the Pachuca coach
“He's had an impressive career, now he's taken on this new challenge. I saw the game the other day and he likes to have a team that tries to do things, that's brave and takes the initiative. They could easily have drawn with Salzburg. We're up against good opposition who have had some new players in for this World Cup. We'll have to be well prepared."

Ceballos
“We've spoken in recent days. He's a player who can contribute an awful lot. He's got that quality and understanding of the game. He'll have a role to play over the course of the year. He didn't play the other day, but we want him here."

High temperatures
“It is what it is. Talking about the conditions won't make them change. We have to deal with the situation. It's not the best but nobody can do anything about it."

Adaptation
“It's a process and we have to prioritise certain key points so we know what we have to change. Of course, ideas emerge, but it's a process and we hope it'll work."

On Tchouameni's position

“I don't know what will happen during the year. He's a fundamental part of the squad given his importance and the number of positions he's capable of playing. He's making little decisions all the time. In the little time we've spent together, I've seen he has that desire to progress and improve. That will to learn is hugely important."

Trent's position
“He's done it for Liverpool and the National Team. He's a different type of full-back, he doesn't just stay wide. He can come inside a bit and link up with his teammates. What happens around him is important. We have to work on that, but having that right boot of his and his understanding of the game is very positive."

Tactics
“We'll try and find solutions. There are certain ideas that have to take root in how we work day to day. We learn a lot from playing matches in terms of how we can improve. We have to be flexible and read the moments during the game."

What has he learned from his coaches?
“I had wonderful coaches as a player and I've taken something from all of them to build my knowledge. Then you have to bring your personality and your way of transmitting that knowledge. If you don't feel it, it's difficult to get it across to the players."

Congratulations to Oviedo on promotion
“I'd like to congratulate Oviedo. I think it's been 24 years since they last played in the top flight. Such a historic club really deserves it. I'm sad for Mirandés too because I know people from Miranda and it was a historic opportunity for them, but that's football. I'm delighted for my friend Santi Cazorla. He's done a great thing by going back there at his age, and I'm sure he's been a huge influence in their achievement, with his charisma, not to mention the fact he's a unique player with unbelievable quality."