Xabi Alonso He stopped by the press room again to analyze his team’s next match, this Wednesday (9:00 p.m.) in the round of 16 of the Copa el Rey against Talavera. The Real Madrid coach spoke about … delicate moment he is going through, how he is experiencing this new situation in his coaching career, and also spoke about the Negreira case, which its president Florentino Pérez made topical this Monday by calling it “the biggest scandal in the history of football”.
Asked about the continuous ultimatum in which he has lived in recent weeks and how he copes with it, whether he benefits from it or suffers more, the man from Tolosa was direct in explaining that “the position means that you have to know what to do at all times.” “I appreciate this opportunity, in good times and bad.. “It’s a source of pride,” he said.
The White coach admitted that since his arrival on the bench at the Santiago Bernabéu, he has had to adapt. “The Xabi that arrived in June is not the same as the one today. In essence yes, but I learned things, I had to adjust certain things about myself and there is an evolution. It’s normal, we’re evolving,” he said. “And the important thing is that it’s for the good. “There is still a way to go.”
Faced with the press’s insistence on this part of his evolution, Xabi explained that the change he is referring to concerns both “as a coach” and in the role of “manager”. “You learn everything. We’re in it, the players too. If we are a better team in March than we are today, that will be good news. And if we are better at the end of the season, even better. “There are going to be phases this season.”
The coach ruled out that there is now greater player involvement compared to previous weeks. “It’s your interpretation. From the inside, we have always fought for the same goals. We know there are good times and bad times, and unity is essential. “We get to know each other better, each of us already knows what moments there are.” “The focus is on what awaits us in the next four days, on finishing well before the break, always with the ambition to improve,” he added.
“We don’t want any surprises.”
Concerning the confrontation of the cupbearers with the Talaveraa very inferior rival on paper, Xabi Alonso recognized that “it’s a match to which you have to prepare mentally because they are different situations. They are different conditions from those we usually have and preparing it with the necessary attitude is going to be essential. We don’t want surprises, we want to be reliable. “We want to put together a competitive team to be able to move on.”
In this sense, he did not want to reveal whether Kylian Mbappéjust three goals short of Cristiano Ronaldo’s record, will play or not, and he also didn’t want to reveal if he would. Endrick. “You already know that I don’t like to give too many clues to my rival. It will of course be included in the call. We don’t think about the post-match: there is Talavera, Sevilla and we have everyone and “Bobby” of course has options.
Asked about the resurrection of Rodrygo, who scored in two consecutive games after a long drought, he admitted that it had been “very good news, not only because of the goals but because of the role he plays as a fourth midfielder or third striker, these positions which are a bit undetectable because of their quality. “It gives us a defensive balance, and if he is also complemented by the goals, with the quality he has always had…”
He also reiterated his praise for the youth team. Valdepeñas. “Historically, I have seen and experienced that many players who were at the right time and in the right place took advantage of the opportunity. I have neither scenario nor limits, it is the terrain which gives you and which takes away from you. If there are players who deserve to play, they will get opportunities. I was very happy for Victor and congratulated him because he helped us win the match. “I think there will be more opportunities.”
Almost at the same time as Xabi Alonso entered the press room, the Spanish referees’ union (AESAF) made public an official note responding to criticism from Florentino Pérezpresident of Real Madrid, to the refereeing team, a circumstance for which Tolosarra was questioned. “It is legitimate for everyone to defend their interests. Anyone who feels wronged should raise their voice. That’s exactly what we do,” he replied.
“Abroad, it’s very surprising”
Regarding the Negreira case, Alonso assured that he shares “the position of the club and the president. The most important thing is that, for the good of football, the truth about what happened is known.”
“There is everything in all leagues. As human beings, everyone makes mistakes, but there was a case here that needs to be investigated. Abroad it is very surprising that there are no consequences or liability. This is why it is very important to know what happened. This is not normal, this cannot be taken naturally,” he added.
Of course, the Merengue coach did not want to go further when asked if the Negreira affair had tainted Barça’s titles: “No, no. “I’m not going to go there.”
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