Before the meeting against Juventus in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup, Xabi Alonso answered questions from journalists at a press conference. The Basque technician notably mentioned the returns of Carvajal, Militao and Mbappé in the group, the confrontation against Turin training and the role of the liners in a large tournament.
Xabi Alonso's responses to journalists
Arrival in the round of 16 : “Once the group phase is complete, come the decisive matches, all or nothing, and we play against a large European club like Juve. It will ask us a lot physically, mentally and in a football level. We have prepared for it, but everything is ready for tomorrow. It is an important match in a different competition. It's decisive, but it is not the first important test, it is an important match. ”
Mbappé : “He's going well and tomorrow we will talk about making a decision. There is a strong probability that he can play tomorrow, even if I do not know to what extent he can play ”.
The praises of David Ancelotti on Marca : “I have a good relationship with him, I shared two steps with him and I am very grateful to him. I don't know where I am, except that I am where I want to be. I take over with great honor and pride. We are starting a new project after the great period of Ancelotti and the future will tell us. ”
Castilla players : “Our first mission is to win matches and know how to win them and with which players, that is to say with the resources we have in the first and Castilla team. The training center has always had players of a high competitive level and you have to give them a chance. Gonzalo is doing well. They must have their space, but the club is demanding and forces you to win. ”
Rodrygo : “After the match, I try to get closer to everyone. He played a few important minutes for him and he will be important. I know from experience that in these competitions, holders as well as replacements can be important. Everyone is in a good state of mind, but I see Rodrygo in a good state of mind, he trains well ”.
The returns of Carvajal and Militao : “For tomorrow, Dani and Militao are in the group after a long convalescence. We need to feel them near us in this decisive phase and those who play like those who do not play have an important role to play in creating this link. We will need them tomorrow, even if their level of competition requires more minutes. Carvajal will be important and militao too, when they are well ”.
Xabi Alonso on pressing : “The distances between us, with and without the ball, are important because by playing together, it is easier to press. The attitude and organization must go hand in so that when the two are united, the defense is better ”.
Drones in training : “We are trying to record training sessions from distances, tactical work, movements … and that facilitates our task. We did it in Leverkusen and we brought it here, even if I don't think we are precursors. ”
On the possibility of meeting Sergio Ramos in quarters : “I want to win first and I hope to be able to answer you more in depth. We have played a lot of matches together and I hope it will continue to perform at its age. I am happy that he has the desire and the vitality of continuing to play. I hope we see each other in the quarterfinals. »»
The main challenges before competition : “We knew from the start that we would be ready, but in this competition, to start the engines and lay the foundations, we have gone through a lot of challenges to be able to strengthen personal relationships and for that, we spend time together. The real moment will come and for that, we must be performing tomorrow ”.
Fight against heat : “We will try to arrive better hydrated. Adaptation was not the best the first day, but now it is better. We control the hydration levels for this match with humidity and heat, because we are not used to it. If there are clouds, we will be grateful, and if not, we will do what we with it. »»
First weeks at the club : “It's the third week since we started and I am happy and impatient. It reminds me of a lot, like training camps when I was a player, but now in a different role, organizing, deciding and preparing things. There are things that do not change because it is a question of managing players and people and establishing bonds of trust that allow us to build the future. Spending time together allows us to strengthen these relationships by having breakfast, lunch and dinner with them. When it is finished, we will need time, but of course, without forcing things to better build them. ”
Beyond the Club World Cup : “These are things that we can feel how they work. We can repeat things, even if this tournament is different from what we will have during the season. It is an express format and the context is different with regard to the distribution of minutes and charges, but we are in the preparation of matches and training, by getting to know each other better and to define how we want to do things. I get them to know them and everyday life will allow us to lay the foundations for when we start in August.
On Juventus : »It is a very intense team, with very clear and high quality ideas. It's a big rival awaits us, a hard team. Our reference is not the match against City, they are others and we will be ready for them. »»
First tournament with Real Madrid : “We are trying to prepare ourselves and we are among the most prepared teams. I feel very good and I enjoy it a lot. We want everything to be normal, with regularity, which is nothing new to me. Now we are focused on qualification because it is a short and intense competition. »»
Critics of the World Cup of Klopp and Guardiola clubs : “It's not my feeling. He is not in our conversations. Our preparation is for the World Cup and now we only have Juventus in mind. We give value to the club World Cup by not knowing how it was going to take. Then, you see a great match against Juventus, you see a PSG-Bayern which is a great match, you see the Fluminense eliminating the Inter … People have fun. “
Valverde : “I can see Fede in many places like I could see Gerrard. Due to its position and balance, starting from more remote positions, it can happen with its acceleration capacity and place itself at 30 meters and we use it there. Its greatest quality is not to play back and turn around, but to see the game and distribute it. It has the capacity to accelerate and position itself near the penalty area to generate goals. »»
The group phase : “It's too early to analyze, but I feel good and motivated and it gives me energy to be able to compete and this stage brings me good challenges like the match of tomorrow against a large European team. »»
Alexander-Arnold : “I think he can play in different positions and in different systems. The first game was not the best to start and in the second, we had a little more domination, but it is at its beginnings. Although he is a high -level player, he adapts and it takes time, but little by little, he improves and we are happy with him ”.
South American teams : “I liked Brazilians just like Argentines. Regardless of not going into eighth, River played well against Inter. We feel in the Brazilians what represents this club World Cup for them. They have an emotion and hope for this tournament that gave them a plus. Flamengo has shown a good level, Palmeiras and Fluminense are already in the quarterfinals. We look at European football, but we see that elsewhere, things are well done. »»
The Mbappé-Vinicius duo in attack : “Our idea is to exploit the game and the collective idea, that the team trains as a team and that it works as such, that it is engaged in all phases. And thus, the individual quality will be beneficial and Vinicius, Mbappé, Rodrygo, Bellingham, Brahim … will have to do the things they know how to do. We can emphasize how to reach this level with this offensive force so that players play better. »»
Mbappé's impact : “He is a leader by his impact and his influence. We must all be engaged in the collective idea, whether we all take advantage of what is happening, whether we have the ball or not, and that, we must do all those who are on the ground. The requirement is the same for everyone. »»
