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.”
