Xabi Alonso: our goal is to win and finish first in the group

Ahead of the final round of the Club World Cup, Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso participated in a press conference and answered many interesting questions from journalists. His remarks were useful and, as expected, frank for the club's fans. Below are Alonso's full thoughts:

— What kind of Real Madrid do you want to see tomorrow?
— We have two main goals: to win and finish the group stage in first place. In the last match, even though we were down to ten men, we put on a worthy performance. At this stage, the opponents are not easy. Now we are at a decisive stage.

— Is there a problem with Rodrygo?
— No, he has no problem. He is in good shape, highly motivated. Not playing him was only a tactical decision. Rodrygo is a very important player for our team, and we will use him in this tournament. He has special qualities.

— What do you think about Laporta’s words?
— I don't want to get into that situation. Both teams have their own strengths and opinions. There is democracy. We continue to go our own way in Madrid and elsewhere.

— What condition is Mbappé in?
— He has joined training and is feeling good. But he is not yet fully recovered. We want to save him for the round of 16. He is not ready for this stage yet.

— About Mendy and Camavinga…
— Ferland still needs time to recover. Eduardo, on the other hand, is quickly regaining fitness. A final decision hasn't been made yet. But he is an important player for the team and should be back on the field soon.

— Does the team need transfers?
— We have players like Mastantuono, Rodrygo, and Brahim. I am very satisfied with my team. There are a lot of matches ahead — about 50–60. Competition for every position is necessary. I trust every player.

— What do you think about Hausen?
— He has become one of the mainstays of our team. He is a leader not only on the field but also in everyday life. For us, it was an important transfer. He still has great potential, and we are proud of him.

— Is finishing first in the group a more difficult path?
— Thinking about not winning is a bad idea. That would be a dangerous signal for the team. We always fight for victory. We have seen the tournament table, but that should not affect the game. We approach every match seriously.

— Will Valverde play further up the field now?
— I have several tactical plans. Fede is a versatile player. He can play both on the wing and in the center. His activity gives the team flexibility.

— What memories do you have of your playing career in Madrid?
— Real Madrid is the most prestigious club in the world. Being a member of this team is an honor. Its history, culture, and goals — all of it is extremely important. We continue the legendary path.

— How is Bellingham after the operation?
— Right now, he is one of the key players in our team. He is active in attacks, plays effectively in the center. In the match against Pachuca, we saw his potential once again. Bellingham wants to develop, and we support that.

— Are you familiar with Thomas (the rival coach)?
— Yes, we have met several times. Salzburg is a different team now, but I am looking forward to meeting Thomas.

— Should Vinicius develop defensively as well?
— Of course. Every player must know how to defend. If the team acts compactly, distances are maintained and the opponent has fewer chances. Vini is also involved in this process.

— Who will replace Asensio?
— I’ve thought about it, but I can't say for sure yet (smiles).

— How is Alaba?
— He has a serious injury and will need more time to recover. And Salzburg is a very dynamic and attacking team. We have prepared for them at full strength. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!