Xabi Alonso: “We want to exploit the collective idea, working as a team”

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso spoke in Miami on Monday evening ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup last 16 tie with Juventus to once again highlight the importance of teamwork. Asked about how he could pair up Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, he responded, “we want to exploit the collective idea, that we all work as a team. That we know what to do without the ball. And in that individual quality... the attackers must make the difference. It will be difficult for me to teach Mbappé how to dribble, but how to persevere... that’s something we coaches can emphasise. And that’s what we focus on.”

Xabi Alonso on the knockout stage

“In every World Cup, once the group stage is over, it’s all or nothing. Tomorrow we’re playing against a big team and it will demand a lot from us. Football, mentality and concentration. We’ve worked hard and everything is ready.”

Xabi Alonso on this game being his first test

“No. It’s a very different match because it’s decisive and this competition is very big. But no. It’s just a very important match.”

Xabi Alonso on Kylian Mbappé

“He’s fine. We talk every day. He’s feeling better. We’ll talk tomorrow morning and make a decision.”

Xabi Alonso on Davide Ancelotti calling him the second-best coach around after Carlo

“I have a very good relationship with him because we shared two spells together. I’m grateful to him. I’m taking over from Ancelotti with great honour and pride. I thank him for that. This is a new project, following a great spell... and time will tell the rest.”

Xabi Alonso on Ancelotti’s focus being on winning, not developing youngsters

“The first idea is to win. Then, how to do it, whether with players from the first team or from Castilla, we’ll decide later. But this youth academy has always performed well, it has quality and it must have its place. Although Real Madrid is very demanding and requires winning, of course.”

Xabi Alonso on Rodrygo Goes

“After the matches, I try to approach everyone I meet along the way, including Rodrygo. He will be important. In these championships, those who start can be just as important as those who come on. And here, everyone is in a good frame of mind. Rodrygo too. Who plays is my decision.”

Xabi Alonso on Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão

“Both Dani and Éder will be in the squad tomorrow. It will be important for them and for the team. The bench plays a very important role when you see people of their calibre pushing for a place. For them to gain a competitive level will require more minutes. But when he’s fit, Carva will be very important, and Militão too.”

Xabi Alonso on his pressing system

“One of the first things I mentioned was the distance between us. The closer we are, the easier it will be to maintain control. Attitude is essential, but organisation must also be linked to it. And when the two come together, it will be the best thing for the team.”

Xabi Alonso on his use of drones

“We try to record the sessions from a different perspective for distances, movements... because we don’t have the fixed cameras at Valdebebas. We used to do it in Leverkusen, we’ve brought it here, I don’t think we’re pioneers, because many others do it. But we use it.”

Xabi Alonso on a possible meeting with Sergio Ramos

“First, we have to win. And hopefully I can answer your question in more detail. We’ve played many matches together and have a great friendship. I’m glad he’s still performing well at his age... 39? 40? I don’t know how old he is anymore. But I’m very happy that he’s still going strong. Hopefully we could play against them in the quarter-finals.”

Xabi Alonso on Kylian Mbappé’s chances of playing

“Many. I don’t know how many. But there are many chances that he’ll play.”

Xabi Alonso on handling the heat

“We had only been here for a few days when we played Al Hilal and hadn’t fully adapted yet. We’re not used to playing at 3 p.m. in the heat and humidity. If it clouds over, that would be welcome, but this is what we have to deal with. We have to stay hydrated!”

Xabi Alonso on his first two weeks in charge

“Thanks for the question. It’s the third week... and I’m happy, eager. Many things remind me of training camps as a player, but now in a different role. Organising, preparing, deciding. But there are many things that don’t change, because in the end it’s about managing people, players. Building bonds. And that, as we’re spending a lot of time together, is accelerating this relationship. You have breakfast, lunch and dinner with them. When this is over, we’ll even need some time apart, like in all relationships! But it’s going well. I’m happy.”

Xabi Alonso on making decisions for next season

“These are things we can start to feel how they work. But this competition is different from what we’re going to see this season. This is a very fast-paced format and the context is different. You have to go all out in every match. The players are getting to know me, as well as the staff, and I’m getting to know them. What we’re doing on a daily basis is laying the groundwork for when we start in August.”

Xabi Alonso on Juventus

“They are a very intense team, with clear ideas and great collective and individual quality. Players of the highest calibre who have been able to come this year. They will be tough opponents... and the match against Manchester City is not our benchmark. There are others. And we will be ready for it.”

Xabi Alonso on whether this competition poses an injury risk to players

“Well, that’s not my impression. But we don’t think much about the medium or long term. We don’t have time to talk about this; only to talk about the Club World Cup. We have Juventus on our minds and that’s it. We value this tournament because it’s gaining momentum. Tomorrow’s game is a big one, PSG-Bayern, Fluminense eliminated Inter... the format is attracting football fans and we are very focused.”

Xabi Alonso on Fede Valverde playing in a more advanced role, like Steven Gerrard

“I can see him playing in many positions, just like Steven. But given what we need and how we play, starting from a double pivot... he can do it, because he has acceleration and the ability to break through lines easily. We’re there now, but we’ll see how it goes in the future. His greatest quality is not receiving the ball with his back to goal and turning, but playing further up the pitch. Because he has that ability to accelerate.”

Xabi Alonso on how his squad compares to Bayer Leverkusen

“I ended up in Leverkusen after three years with the same squad, where we got along well despite having little in common. Now, with so much going on, we may not understand each other as well. We need more time to adopt these mechanisms. But with time, everything will be more dynamic, better, because the quality is there. We are in that process. There is still a lot to improve and we know that the context is demanding, but we want to continue building on that foundation.”

Xabi Alonso on Trent being most comfortable in a back three

“He can play in different systems and positions. Against Pachuca, you play with 10 men and everything is relative. And against Al Hilal, the first half wasn’t the best. But Trent is just starting out, adapting, in an express process to find his best position. We’re happy with him.”

Xabi Alonso on South American teams

“I liked both Argentina and Brazil. I don’t get to watch Boca much, but River competed very well against Inter and the sending-off changed the game. And the Brazilians... you can feel what this Club World Cup is all about in the stadiums. They have an extra bit of excitement. Flamengo played well... and Fluminense and Palmeiras are already in the quarter-finals. Outside Europe, great things are happening, and that’s good for everyone.”

Xabi Alonso on what he will ask Mbappé for

“Kylian, due to his impact and influence, is already a leader. I need everyone to be committed to the collective idea, to enjoy themselves with and without the ball. And this is the job of Kylian, Aurélien, Dani Ceballos... it is a requirement for all players.”

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