Xabi Alonso: "We're ready and eager to get our third Champions League win"

Xabi Alonso appeared at a press conference after the last training session ahead of the upcoming Champions League match. The coach analysed the clash against Juventus: "Tomorrow's game is a classic in European football. Juventus is one of those select clubs that make football great. We've played them many times. I remember watching many games on TV and playing in some of them too."
"We're going into it very well prepared. I've seen the team eager to go for their third Champions League win and get off to a very good start, which is what we want. We also need the stadium. We know that people go to the Bernabéu with a special desire to see big games, and tomorrow's game is one of those. We hope they enjoy it. We have to give them something so that they respond in kind."

On the match in Miami
"You've asked me several times, and my opinion is clear. The club is legitimately defending its interests. We'll see what happens."

What has changed in Vini Jr.?
"He's a very good player, he's fundamental to this squad this season and has been for many others. He's decisive. I'm very happy to see him enjoying himself and smiling. The other day, I spoke to him about the impact he can have and how he changed the game in the second half. We need him to be very focused on the game and on what he does well. His day-to-day work is good and he's responding very well in matches."

Arda Güler
Not only because of his origins and where he comes from, but also because of his quality, he's a mixture of Özil and Guti. Guti also had that quality to play close to the build-up and the striker. Seeing the pass that is not so easy to find. I also enjoyed playing with Mesut a lot. The more we find Arda, the sooner the game tends to improve. We have to keep pushing him and supporting him, but we're very happy with his performance, maturity and the impact he's having in the games. What surrounds him is also very important."

Endrick's game time
"We're not at that point yet. Competition for places up front is intense. He has to be ready for the moment and the context of each game. That goes for him, Gonzalo and Brahim. They'll get their chances because there are a lot of games. This is elite football, and we need as many good players as possible."

Does this team need a Xabi Alonso in midfield?
"I hope not. With the squad we have, we're going to go all the way. We're convinced that we're on an upward trajectory, that we can play well and compete at a consistent level. We have a complete squad, with varying qualities. Football is evolving, and we have dynamic players who still have potential to develop. My job is to accompany them and help them. In two months' time, we'll be seeing the evolution of many of them. In the medium to long term, we'll see, but here we want to compete now."

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On Nico Paz
"I watched Como's match against Juventus. They changed their style of play, and Como played a very hard-fought match, as planned by Cesc. We hope it will be different, but we are focusing on our own game. We know Juventus well. Nico made a very smart move in terms of how and where he ended up and how he is developing. Now is not the time to talk about the future."

Juventus' dynamic
"Until the last three weeks, they were on a very good run. I remember the match against Inter, which was a great victory. Regardless of the latest results, we're very attentive and alert for tomorrow. Any Italian team that is going through a difficult period can be doubly dangerous. We mustn't forget history. They have very good players who know how to compete. Yildiz is one of them; his progress is fantastic, both with Juve and with Turkey. He was in the Bayern youth teams when I was there, and I'm very happy to see his progress."

When will Trent and Carvajal be back?

"We're going to take it day by day. Today, Trent and Carvajal were able to do part of the session. Tomorrow we'll train a little bit too, to make the final decisions. On Saturday, I'll probably give you the final medical report, but as far as tomorrow is concerned, I don't think they'll be ready."

Mbappé's impact this season
"The positive influence he's having on the team is almost as important in terms of his teammates following him when he has the ball and when he doesn't. That is helping us to control games better. He's always going to score goals, more or less, but he is always going to score. He did it in Monaco and in Paris. With the national team, too. But his influence is great, and that's what the team needs. He's in a very good place personally and professionally after adapting last year. Everything is clicking in his head, and that's why he's performing so well."

Courtois' role
"It's not just what he does in goal; he's probably the best goalkeeper in the world. It's the personality he has and the understanding of the game. You see that he is curious about the game. I think in the future we will see him near the pitch as well. That's important for a coach. I shared many years with Casillas, and we experienced fantastic things. I can't stick to just one. Now I have Thibaut, but Iker is Iker."

On Camavinga
"We've only recently been able to start to work with him; he has only been available for a few weeks. Unfortunately, he has had small injuries, and he has been in the dynamic for three weeks. The other day he played his first game for France, but he hasn't played for us for a long time. I think he has huge potential; he has different qualities. As a midfielder, he has dynamism. He can move across lines that is very different to others. We have to know how to fit the individual quality he has into the collective idea."

Mastantuono's adaptation
"He arrived a couple of months ago. He comes from a totally different environment, and we have to help him. He's only 18 years old. At the moment, we have to be more than satisfied with his development. I'm optimistic. He's in the right place and we're delighted that he is with us."

The dangers of Juventus
"Tactically, they are a very strong team. They change positions a lot, they have centre-back rotations and wide play with wingers. If you're not well adjusted when you don't have the ball, they find the free player and are capable of throwing you off balance. Tomorrow we have to be very good, give pace to the ball, look for counters and be vertical. We need to work on where we want to take the game."

On Zidane's statements about the Duodécima final
"I'm sure he has that game more fresh in his mind. Of course, I remember it. The game Casemiro played, in which he dominated from start to finish. To win a Champions League like that is incredible, and what he did here was brilliant. I respect him a lot."