Xabi Alonso: “It's an important match for the table”
“We're going to try to build on that intensity and quality of team play that has produced a good level of performance and enabled us to win matches,” added the Madrid coach.
Xabi Alonso spoke in the press room at the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium and discussed the game ahead against Olympiacos, on matchday five of the Champions League first phase (Wednesday, 9 pm CET): “We need a good performance and, after these last few matches, to get back to winning ways. To do that, we have to play well, stay focused and realise that this is an important match for our position in the table. Despite having nine points, we want to add more. After the Liverpool match and the next two league matches, we want to get another result tomorrow.”
“I follow Olympiacos not only because we knew we'd be playing them in the Champions League, but also because I have a lot of personal appreciation for Mendilibar and Darko Kovacevic. I know what they achieved in the Conference League and what they achieved last year. Mendilibar is a top-class manager and someone who promotes very intense football. He has achieved that at Olympiacos and is receiving the recognition he also had at Éibar and other clubs. I'm really happy that he's getting it here.”
Does he know that Real Madrid have never won in Greece?
“We've discussed it. Hopefully, we can win tomorrow. There's a first time for everything.”
Is he concerned that the team might not take on board what he wants to implement?
“It's a process. All change requires a process and it doesn't happen overnight. If we look at the last three matches, there are things I didn't like. We've discussed and analysed them, but if we look further back, there have been good moments and we've done good things. We're going to try to build on that intensity and quality of team play that has produced a good level of performance and enabled us to win matches. We haven't been consistent in some phases of the game with and without the ball, and that's why we've had some bad matches. Now it's time to focus on tomorrow. What we talk about is very obvious and doesn't change much from match to match, but it's football and sometimes it works out better. The expressions in the match belong to the moment and are feelings expressed by the players. I understand them because I've had them myself. They're not particularly important. The most important thing is when we talk and analyse things among ourselves and we all agree on what we want.”
Managing the egos
“It's as important as footballing ideas, tactics and fitness work. You have to get the best out of the players and make them feel as good as possible. It's a process that has its ups and downs, but you have to know how to navigate it well. It's essential at Real Madrid and at any team.”
“All experiences help, and having known great players who had that collective and individual ambition to do well helps you at this moment. The atmosphere and the things that happen and the instinct you need to have in the dressing room are not so different.”
Six months as Real Madrid coach
“It's turning out the way I expected. It's a very demanding job, with good moments and others when you need focus and connection. Moments when you have to react, and we're in one of those moments right now. I'm enjoying the whole thing, with everything that it entails, and it's an honour and a privilege, as I said on the first day and continue to say.”
“It's demanding, of course, but I'm certainly not the first Real Madrid coach who has had to deal with these situations. I think a lot about how Carlo, Mou or Pellegrini would handle it, because these situations are nothing new and you have to know how to deal with them. We are demanding and self-critical, as we should be. We're not happy with our recent performances. We're also aware of our position in both the league and the Champions League, and where we want to be. I'm enjoying putting all that together.”
Is it difficult to get along with the players?
“I've had to spend a lot of time with great players and big personalities who are demanding, professional and always want the best. They react like this because it's normal for them and it helps them to be as good as they are. It's a privilege to be at Real Madrid, where you have players of that calibre, and then you have to connect with them.”
“The most important players are those on every team. We have the important role of preparing them and making decisions, but ultimately, what matters most is the quality and attitude of the players and how well prepared they are. It will always depend on them. We accompany them and have to be by their side.”
Does he think footballers have the power to get a coach sacked?
“You have to have a lot of respect for the players, for the teams and how they prepare. I don't want to and I'm not going to talk about that because I know what the dressing room is like, the moments you have to endure and how you have to deal with the noise from outside. We try to talk about it, we try to deal with it because these are situations that come up at the club, but we can't let them distract us from what's important. We can control how we train, how we work, how we interact with each other and how we deal with these moments when the results aren't what we want. We know the consequences, but we can't let them take us off the path we want to follow.”
Is he surprised that his position is being questioned?
“I imagine this isn't the first time you've asked this question, but we know what the situation is and where we stand in both LaLiga and the Champions League. What concerns me is what happens in Valdebebas, tomorrow on the pitch, preparing with the players, and I don't pay too much attention to anything else. We haven't even been here 100 days and this will continue to evolve both individually and collectively, personally and in terms of football. There is still a long way to go. Sometimes there is a straight line and sometimes there is a curve, like these three results that we did not expect. We're aware of this and are self-critical. Tomorrow, we have another opportunity and that is where our focus lies.”
Has he received any messages of support from the club president?
“It's not necessary. I spoke with the president this morning and I speak with José Ángel frequently. The day-to-day business is what keeps us in touch, and today I spoke with the president this morning.”