Xabi Alonso talks Mbappe, Vinicius, Carvajal, refereeing ahead of Real Madrid vs Marseille | OneFootball

Real Madrid will aim to begin their UEFA Champions League campaign on a winning note when they take on Olympique de Marseille in their first ‘league phase’ game of the season.

The Spanish capital giants arrive with form and momentum behind them, having picked up four wins in four La Liga outings this season.

The aim will be to carry that forward and bag all three points against the French club, managed by Roberto De Zerbi.

Ahead of the game, manager Xabi Alonso addressed the media in his pre-match press conference, giving his thoughts on Kylian Mbappe’s form and the refereeing controversy in La Liga, among other things.

Starting things off, Alonso shed light on how Real Madrid intend to approach tomorrow’s game against Marseille and the Champions League, in general, stating:

“We’re starting off with the utmost excitement of playing in the Champions League with Madrid. It’s even more special for this club, and being at the Bernabeu is even more motivating.

“People are eager to take steps forward and continue growing. We have a tough opponent, and we hope to start well.”

Alonso is managing the most successful club in the UEFA Champions League, and with it comes an intense amount of pressure. Addressing that, he noted: “It’s a fact, an honour, a motivation, and a responsibility you enjoy.”

On whether he ever felt regret about leaving Real Madrid early, considering the number Champions League trophies they won after his departure, Alonso noted:

“No, no, it was five very intense years. It was a tough job for us to win that Champions League. We finished in three semi-finals before winning La Décima. Many of us learned that to win, you have to lose, and sometimes quite a lot.

“Then came the Zizou years, which were incredible. There are few who were at that stage. That’s historic and unique. If I hadn’t won it, I wouldn’t have left peacefully.”

On his players

Mbappe and Vini will be key for Real Madrid in the CL. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The Real Madrid manager then discussed how he is handling things with Vinicius Jr., and how the Brazilian is dealing with his new role – having had to be benched for a game and getting taken off earlier than he is used to against Sociedad.

“Yes, we’ve talked, but like I talk to many. Given the context of the game, after a great performance from him, I think he came off in the 70th minute, and it wasn’t the best time to play offensively,” said Alonso.

“He sacrificed himself, and it was a team victory. He’s in good energy to start tomorrow.”

Alonso then launched into huge praise for Dani Carvajal, with whom he won La Decima back in 2014 and is now coaching at the club.

“There’s one aspect that hasn’t changed, and that’s the competitive gene he has. He came here in 2013-14 and already had it. Since he arrived from Leverkusen, he’s been so important; he gave us so much, and we won the Champions League,” he said.

“That hasn’t changed. But his influence, his maturity, being the captain, the respect he has, and his responsibility to the group have evolved. Now that he’s fit and well enough to play, he has a very important positive influence on the rest.”

“These leaders who need to flourish are fundamental. We need this powerful core to pull the rest of the squad forward. Carva has been embracing that. He saw others through, and now it’s his turn.”

Talking about Kylian Mbappe and his brilliant start to the season, Alonso touched on how the Frenchman needed some time after a difficult FIFA Club World Cup due to illness.

“The World Cup was a bit of a let-off for Kylian because of his gastroenteritis. We were just getting to know each other. Kylian really likes to understand things, the game. Then he offers that individual quality,” he said.

“But it’s not just Kylian, Vini or Rodrygo, we need that collective quality for them to do those different things. I can’t take any credit for that.”

On whether he sees Mbappe as a leader of the team, the manager replied: “No doubt. By personality, experience… He’s one of them. When that group consolidates, he already knows who to follow. Kylian is one of them.”

Just as it was asked to Aurelien Tchouameni, Alonso was also quizzed about whether Mbappe is anxious to win the Champions League, especially after PSG lifted the trophy last season. In response, he said:

“Not anxious. We see a project that’s just starting. One of the goals is to win the Champions League sooner rather than later. Kylian is part of the journey, but I don’t see him as anxious.

“Today we talked about what the Champions League means, but we didn’t talk about May, we talked about today.”

On the refereeing

Alonso was far from happy with the referee over Huijsen red card. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Xabi Alonso was also asked about the refereeing controversy during Real Madrid’s win over Real Sociedad and his heated exchange with the match official after the game.

“We spoke with tension in our bodies. I already said what I thought in the press conference, and we left it at that. It’s time to look ahead to the Champions League,” he said.

Reports on Sunday suggested that Real Madrid are holding Barcelona and the Negreira case to blame for some of the dodgy referee calls. On whether he thought it to be the case, Alonso replied:

“I don’t want the refereeing issue to be a one-track mind. Let’s think about tomorrow. The Anoeta incident has been discussed enough.”

Alonso’s predecessor, Carlo Ancelotti, always maintained that he felt more comfortable with referees in the European competition rather than La Liga. When asked for his views, the Real Madrid boss remarked:

“I feel equally at ease with both of them. I’m not worried about tomorrow’s game or the next league match.”

On reports that Real Madrid intend to file a report to FIFA regarding the refereeing problems and mistakes in La Liga, he said:

“It’s legitimate to defend our interests. As long as the club does it, it’s fine.”

Real Madrid’s training session was delayed today because La Liga sent officials to conduct a doping test, a day before their UEFA Champions League opener. It is understood to have caused frustration within the club as well as at UEFA.

On the topic, Alonso noted: “We don’t control it. Training has been delayed, but that’s it. We don’t control it.”

Source: AS