Xabi Alonso: “The team is raring to go”
'We must be on alert in the game against Valencia because after a big win sometimes you drop off a bit and we don't want that to happen," added the Real Madrid coach.
Xabi Alonso spoke to the media in the press room at Real Madrid City and discussed the game against Valencia, on matchday 11 of LaLiga (Saturday, 9 pm CET): “After a very positive week, we have another demanding one coming up, with two league games against Valencia and a Champions League trip. We want to close this block with good results and positive energy. The team is raring to go and keep going. Tomorrow we start against Valencia.”
“There might be rotations, but not with Tuesday in mind, but with tomorrow and Valencia in mind. In the Champions League you can lose points and then recover them, but in LaLiga it's not like that because it's a marathon. We're going at a good pace, but we don't want to drop off. I'm thinking about Valencia and Rayo and finishing this block well. Last year, Valencia won at the Bernabéu. We can't relax and we have to show them a lot of respect. Corberán is a coach who prepares his teams well and Valencia have quality and good players. We have to be on guard because after a big win sometimes you drop off a bit and we don't want that to happen.”
On Mbappé receiving the Golden Boot today
“He scored the goals, he's scoring them now and he will score them. The role he is playing, his positive influence on the team, he's assuming it with great maturity. Now the team has to accompany him to score the goals. Congratulations to Kylian and I'm very happy for him. We're all at his side to support him on this day after a great job that he deserves. We have to support him so that he can continue like this.”
Is he concerned about Mbappé's number of minutes?
“I'm always concerned about the number of minutes and not pushing the players too hard. You know the demands and the efforts they have to make and there are times when you have to understand the moments. That has happened and it will happen again. With Kylian it's been like that so far, but we'll see in the future.”
Vini Jr.
“On Wednesday, after the two days off, we had a meeting with everyone and he was impeccable. He spoke from the heart, with sincerity. I was very satisfied and from that moment, for me, the matter was settled. Tomorrow, we have the match, which is the most important thing. There is no further action. I have already given enough explanations. I understand that your focus is there and I respect that, but it has been closed since Wednesday and our focus is on the pitch.”
On Vini Jr.’s statement
“It was a very brave and positive statement. He showed his honesty and spoke from the heart: what this club means and what he wants to give. The most important thing is what he said to his teammates, to the fans and to the club. I was satisfied and from Wednesday the issue was closed. It was very positive and very valuable. He's looking good and all his teammates are looking forward to what's to come. We're all in the same boat rowing in the same direction.”
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Midfield in the Clásico
“We knew it was one of our strengths and that we could use it not only for a specific match but that it would give us solidity. The individual qualities we have, the opposition and the context we're going to face in the near future are going to demand that of us. It went well not only tacitly but also emotionally. The preparation was very good and the team showed a very positive attitude. That's the basis for the tactical approach to work. The Clásico is behind us, but it tells us things for the future.”
Has he seen the Clásico again?
“I've watched it again to analyse the things we talked about. The team showed a lot of solidity, a lot of focus and we had plenty of desire. You could see that in every action. When we're strong we're winners and we can take the initiative. We did a lot of things well.”
Vini Jr.’s contract renewal
“He's very focused and motivated. He had good games against Getafe, Juve and El Clásico. We expect the same for tomorrow. Everyone is focused on what's ahead of us. We're competitive, we want the best and everyone wants to be on the pitch, that's good. We have important challenges ahead of us and we want to go one by one, but in a secure manner.”
How does he manage the dressing room?
“By being myself. Being authentic and not pretending to be anything. Having a sincere, direct relationship, knowing what each person's role is and always thinking about what is best for the team. Leading the group and having a good relationship with respect, with the same demands, but knowing that not everyone is the same. You must have that emotional intelligence to be able to adapt to them in your position.”
How has his week been?
“We knew that the Clásico was important and the celebration and the moment was important for the team's confidence. We needed a win of this magnitude, but now we have to take the positives and continue to face each game with the concentration and seriousness that we have been showing. We don't want to drop points. As for me, I'm very focused on the week ahead. It's the way I work and what we want the boys to feel.”
Carvajal’s injury
“That was the worst news on Monday. He played 20 or 25 minutes and did very well after the soleus injury he had. He competed and contributed as he usually does. It was a surprise to get the call from the doctor and that there was a minor injury. We'll miss him for sure because he's very important on a day-to-day basis. I don't know how long it will take: 6 or 8 weeks, but I'm not a doctor and I don't want to anticipate. We'll be waiting for him when the moment of the season is important.”
Endrick
“I'd like him to have had minutes, but the contexts of the games, which are tight, don't help. I hope he can get those minutes because he's training well and he's ready.”