Xabi Alonso talks Militao, Mastantuono, Ceballos Rodrygo, referee after Real Madrid 0-2 Celta Vigo | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s return home after a month was anything but pleasant last night as they struggled throughout the match against Celta Vigo, where they were reduced to just nine men.

Taking advantage of the situation, Celta Vigo struck twice to register a special win and hand Xabi Alonso yet another setback amidst their ongoing rut.

While being a man down was indeed a setback, the fact of the matter remains that Xabi Alonso’s side did not look threatening even playing on a level field and that they did not deserve any points with the performance they dished out.

Xabi Alonso in the spotlight

Facing the press after his team’s unexpected defeat in La Liga, Alonso did not hold back in expressing how he was utterly disappointed with the result.

“We are all angry, obviously. It wasn’t the game or the result we wanted. From the beginning, that Militao injury has hurt us.

Real Madrid were beaten 0-2 against Celta Vigo. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

“It has been difficult for us to recompose ourselves emotionally.”

“Then we have been adjusting things, but the game we wanted has not come out. You have to try to turn the page as quickly as possible,” he added

Speaking on the implications of the defeat on the league title race, the manager said,

“It’s only three points, there’s a lot of league left. On Wednesday we have the Champions League match against City to react and take this bad taste out of our mouths.”

A lot went wrong for Real Madrid against Celta last night, and Alonso openly addressed how nothing went to plan.

“We had planned the match after the one in Bilbao to play with a good pace and pressing against a good rival. We have been missing things, the injury has upset our plans.”

“It’s bad news, we are suffering a lot with the injuries. It is another very important one that has been added to us.

Eder Militao picked up an injury. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

“It has been difficult for us to react, almost the best reaction has been when we have been left with one less,” he added on how it affected the performance.

“The team has tightened, we have run and we have tried. We understand that people have left angry. On Wednesday we have to show another face,” he concluded on the topic.

Needless to say, the manager also had a lot to say in terms of urging his team forward past the setback.

“All united, knowing that it is soccer, the situation can be reversed. There is still a lot of season left and a bad game at home can be had.”

“It’s not what you want, but you have to look forward. We know what the self-criticism and demand of this club is. We know that defeats hurt a lot,” he added.

Facing Man City

Later this week, Real Madrid lock horns against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League and they undoubtedly head into it in the worst possible form.

“It is a competition in which we are in a good situation and that is what are at stake. But we want to give a good level, play a good game and show that we can play better than we have done today. We are aware of it.”

The media then cut to the chase and asked Alonso what was wrong in the dressing room, to which he strongly defended his players and hit out at the referee.

Real Madrid will now face Manchester City. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“We were unsettled by the referee’s decisions. The sending off of Álvaro (Carreras), then he slowed things down.

“He didn’t stop Celta’s rhythm or warn them about anything, he was very permissive.”

“I didn’t like his performance. The card for Carreras is very debatable, as if he was trying too hard.

“That’s what threw us off a bit in those moments of the match. I didn’t like the refereeing today,” he added on the referee.

Playing at home after a month, the excitement was at its peak at the Santiago Bernabeu last night but Real Madrid’s homecoming was anything but a fairytale. Speaking on the disappointment of the fans, he said,

“We’re thinking about what’s coming up next, and that’s on Wednesday. After a defeat at home, it hurts, but we have to look ahead together.”

“With pride and with enough determination to represent what we stand for. Wednesday is the closest goal we have,” he added.

Taking responsibility

Alonso’s presser then progressed with the coach taking responsibility for the defeat and looking forward to a comeback.

“We all take responsibility. We’re all in this together, in the good times and the not-so-good times. We have to take it with the responsibility we have to assume.”

“We can’t look too far ahead. The situation is tough because of injuries, so we have to change things up every match. We’ll see what happens on Wednesday,” he added.

He then urged all his players to take more responsibility in helping the team out of the trough they find themselves in.

“This is everyone’s responsibility, not just the players, coaching staff or club. We all have to take responsibility for wanting to do things right and approach every match as if it were the most important one there is.

“Today, we dropped three important points, but it’s not decisive. There’s still a long way to go. It’s everyone’s responsibility and everyone has to work together,” he added.

The manager then provided updates on the situations of Franco Mastantuono and Dani Ceballos who both did not play a part last night.

Real Madrid lost a crucial match. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“Franco is getting back to fitness after his groin injury. He needs to work and train harder. He’s getting closer to playing. He’s being included in the squad, so he’s available.”

“Ceballos, with the substitution of Militao, we opted for more attacking players. Rodrygo and Gonzalo came on, and the latter had a good chance,” he added.

While Kylian Mbappe has been effective at converting chances, one of the areas Real Madrid have struggled in has been creating attacking openings. Speaking on the same, Alonso said,

“We know that these are situations we’ll face often. Sometimes we’ve attacked well, other times we’ve choked.”

“When we were down to 10 men, we created more chances than in the first half. It’s a matter of going out there and working for them,” he added.

With Militao now injured for the long term again, the manager needs a new game plan going forward and he spoke on how difficult it is to plan with so many injuries and setbacks.

“We’re at a point where injuries are piling up. Today we had to change things in our game plan with Militao injured.”

“We need to be able to maintain continuity, but the team wants to compete and build a foundation, regardless of whether things are going well or not so well. We’re on the right track to achieving that,” he added.

Commenting exclusively on the massive UCL game coming up midweek against Manchester City, Alonso maintained a positive attitude.

“We’re playing for three points in the next match. It’s an important and exciting match. There’s a lot of work going on every day at Valdebebas with the players, preparing for each match. That’s what we have to focus on.”

Finally, the manager closed his interview by giving his thoughts on the team now being four points behind Barcelona.

“For me, it’s three points. It hurts, we’re not happy. We’re frustrated, and we share that feeling with the fans. We wanted to be a bit higher up than we are now, but there’s still a long way to go.”

“Now we have the next match. That’s football, and that’s how it always is going to be.”

Source: Real Madrid website