Alonso talks Mbappe, Carreras, Lamine, lessons from last season ahead of Real Madrid vs Barcelona | OneFootball

Xabi Alonso is all set for his biggest test since taking over as Real Madrid manager as his team take on bitter rivals FC Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the season.

The Basque tactician has come up short against big teams so far in his reign with Los Blancos, losing heavily to PSG (FIFA Club World Cup) and Atletico Madrid (La Liga).

So, it goes without saying that a lot will be on the line for Alonso and his staff as Real Madrid take on Hansi Flick’s side at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Real Madrid manager addressed the media in his pre-match press conference today, discussing the challenges that await his team and how they plan on overcoming them.

“It’s clear that a Clasico is special; it has been for many years. It’s the first for this new project, and we need the stadium to have that energy of the big games… and for us to be able to celebrate with our fans at the end,” said Alonso to kick things off.

The discourse immediately moved to the comments made by Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal in the buildup, wherein he claimed Real Madrid “steal and complain”.

While his words have not gone down well in the Los Blancos’ locker room, Alonso refused to get drawn into the controversy when asked for his opinion on what was said.

“It’s a big enough match, it has a lot of ingredients… and that’s what excites us most for tomorrow,” he said, when asked about Lamine’s comments.

On being probed further about that, Alonso remarked: “I’m not going to go into that. There are a lot of statements from people at Barcelona, ​​and I can’t analyse them all.”

Lamine Yamal’s comments have not gone down well at Real Madrid. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Real Madrid lost each of their four El Clasico encounters last season under Carlo Ancelotti, something that Alonso hopes to correct tomorrow.

“There may be similar situations; we’ve analysed them, but the timing is different. We’ve analysed and tomorrow want to play to our strengths,” he said.

Real Madrid have welcomed back five players – Dani Carvajal, Dani Ceballos, Dean Huijsen, Raul Asencio, and Trent Alexander-Arnold to training this week and all of them are expected to be in the squad tomorrow.

But whether they can be in the starting XI remains a question, especially given that some of them are returning after a few weeks out.

So, when asked if he believes that a player at 80% match-fitness should be starting, Alonso replied: “I start from the premise that all the players who are in the squad can start.”

The chat then moved to Kylian Mbappe, who was a major threat to Barcelona last season, but failed at times in dealing with the Catalans’ offside trap. On whether the Frenchman has worked to improve on that aspect, Alonso remarked:

“Given the quality of our players, situations can arise… but we have to do other things first, not just what happens behind Barça’s defence. There are many details that can make the difference.”

On the French superstar’s personal form and mindset heading into the Clasico, Alonso said:

“I see him just as well. Just as motivated, if not more so, because we know what the match means. I see Kylian doing well, like everyone else… they’ve recovered well. Tomorrow is the time.”

When asked about what he seeks from the superstar forward on the field, the Real Madrid manager replied:

“How we can be more efficient so that he can be more decisive within that collective quality… The quality of the team is improving and Kylian is a key part of that. That’s what we’re working on.”

One of the key duels tomorrow will involve Real Madrid left-back Alvaro Carreras going up against Lamine. On whether the defender will hold the key for his team, Alonso said:

“Everyone has to be decisive, both defensively and offensively.”

Talking about his record in big games at Real Madrid, after losses to PSG and Atletico, he noted:

“I hope it goes well and that we win. We approach every match with the utmost determination, and tomorrow’s game has a special flavour.”

Alonso’s big-match credentials under the scanner. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

On being asked about the discourse inside the dressing room after the 5-2 humiliation in the derby against Atletico Madrid last month, Alonso noted:

“A few more weeks have passed and we’ve corrected certain things. Tomorrow we’re in good shape; mentally, football-wise and competitively. It’s a good moment.”

Real Madrid have won 11 of their 12 games this season in all competitions, with the defeat to Atleti being the only blot on their season so far. Alonso, however, is not bothered by how only the derby loss gets highlighted, saying:

“For the project, I don’t know, they’re important games. I like to evaluate the process and in these 12 games there has been an improvement.

“No trophies have been handed out yet and no medals have been won, there’s still a long way to go in the season. Right now, the most important thing is tomorrow.”

On how he plans to approach the Clasico against a Barcelona team known for their intense pressing, Alonso said:

“The most important thing is us, our qualities and strengths. Then there are the match plans. Our idea and what we want. Not only with the ball, but also without it, which is also very important.

“That’s what we’re working on and what we want to be more consistent.”

At the same time, Alonso also made it clear that while he is happy with how his team are playing, there is still room for improvement.

“Yes, I like it… but I think we can play better. We have a solid foundation and now it’s time to take the next step,” he said.

Concluding, Alonso was asked once more about Lamine’s statements and the impact they might have in the Spain national team dressing room. But the Real Madrid boss once again stayed away from the topic, saying:

“What I have in mind is that it’s going to be an intense and hard-fought match. We have to be prepared, compete at the highest level and have the energy needed to play a top match.”

Source: MARCA