Xabi Alonso: “At San Mamés, you have to play with a lot of energy and concentration”
“We have a good opportunity away from home and we're going to go for it,” said our coach.
Xabi Alonso appeared in the Real Madrid City press room a day before the match against Athletic Club on LaLiga matchday 19, which will be played at San Mamés (Wednesday, 7 pm CET; Orange TV and Dazn): "It's one of this league's, and Spanish football's, classic fixtures. There's always a great atmosphere at San Mamés. It's a stadium where you have to play with a lot of energy and concentration, knowing from past experience how to approach it."
What did you talk about with the players in Athens?
“We talked about football, about the unity we need, about what we have to improve to be more consistent in our play. That's what concerns us, both the players and the coaching staff. How can we improve, break this trend in LaLiga and start winning away from home again? We have a very good opportunity at San Mamés. Let's go for it.”
On Kroos' comments about the team
“He has a wealth of experience in football and has been through all kinds of moments at Real Madrid. He knows the club, the players and the demands very well. These are processes, they are moments, and the important thing is how we deal with them. When times are good, and when they are not so good, we must have conviction and confidence in ourselves.”
How is Bellingham feeling?
“I'm with him every day and he seems fine, eager. After not winning, he feels the same as the rest of us in the team, we're not happy. The demands and responsibilities are high here. We have to help each other and we have to help him so that he can be at his best level.”
Strengthening the team
“Those aren't questions for me. We know where we are in the season. There's still a long way to go, we're just over a third of the way through the league and everything is still up for grabs. There are a lot of games left and things can change a lot. We're struggling to win away from home, but we can do it.”
Doubts
"We are where we are in the table, in LaLiga and in the Champions League. We live with the demands and the criticism. We have to focus on what we can do. Work, improve and win games so that we can be where we want to be in April-May, competing for everything.”
Have you spoken to the president?
“I've spoken to him again and the conversations are very positive, in a good tone, wanting to turn the results around. That's what we've talked about."
How does your team play?
“We play football and when you play, you try to do the best you can. These players try to give their all. There have been good games and not so good games, which is why we haven't been able to win recently. We've lacked consistency. The demand is to be able to raise our level a little more in the next game.”
Are there problems when Bellingham and Arda Güler play together?
“After the Barça and Valencia matches, those who had these doubts didn't ask these questions. We've lost a little bit of quality in our play and energy. All the players are affected. They can play together and they will do so again.”
Pressure and ball recovery
“The players are clear about what we can do and how we can improve. We have the organisation and intensity to do it. Without organisation, it's impossible; we have to work on it. The other day, the first half was very different from the second, in which we improved a lot. That's why we had more chances, although we couldn't score that second goal. It all starts with having that conviction and controlling both the defensive and offensive aspects.”
Has your opinion of what you can expect from this squad changed?
“Of course you change, you learn and share nuances and ideas. It's not a static picture, it evolves. The matches guide you on what things aren't working.”
Gonzalo's minutes
“His performance at the Club World Cup was spectacular. He was playing at a high level and scoring goals. Now he's not getting all the minutes he probably deserves, but Mbappé wasn't at the World Cup, and he's also performing spectacularly. Gonzalo is very intelligent, he knows where he is, he knows what's required of him and he's always ready. We need him.”
The players' attitude
“The schedule is demanding. It's difficult to always maintain 100% energy levels, but we can improve. We can be more consistent in pressing and turning. That comes from when you have a good feeling. It's the feelings you have on the pitch. When the team is in a good flow, you have more of those. We want to get to that point, it's essential.”
On Ronald Araújo's mental health break
“You have to respect the feelings and needs of the players. They are people, not machines. There are a lot of demands and responsibilities. If they've decided that for the boy's own good, I think it's logical.”
How to help Rodrygo?
“Trust him. Wait, because in football, things can change with one action, with one goal. He has the quality. He's played in some games, and in others, he hasn't been able to play more because of the competition we have here. But no one doubts his quality. He has a very good attitude and willingness. He needs that good feeling, a good game or a goal to break out of his moment.”
Comparing the current midfield with the previous one
“We have a squad that is big enough and good enough to compete. It's December. It's clear that November didn't go as we would have liked. But I have complete confidence in the quality and personality of this group to reach April or May in good form, with options for everything.”
Mbappé
“He's only been here in Madrid for one full season. You know how last year turned out. We're three months into this season and he's performing very well individually. We'll see at the end of the season. Not only does he score goals, which is the most important thing, he does many other fundamental things in terms of leadership, influence and helping his teammates. That's very important on a day-to-day basis.”