Alonso talks Vinicius, Mbappe, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Camavinga ahead of Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid | OneFootball

Real Madrid are back in action after the internationaal break as they get set to take on Real Sociedad on Matchday 4 of La Liga tomorrow.

Real Madrid go into the contest as joint-leaders, having collected nine points from the first three matches and will be aiming to extend that streak at the Reale Arena.

Ahead of the match, Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso spoke to the media, providing an update on the fitness condition of injured stars like Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga, among other things.

Alonso speaks

Talking about the resumption of the season after the first international break, Alonso confirmed that none of the Real Madrid players had suffered any injury on national team duty.

“It’s demanding. Everyone has come back well. They haven’t been injured,” he said.

“‘The most important thing is that they have arrived on time and in good health. We do have more players here than we usually do. We are in the process of continuing to consolidate things.”

Bellingham, out since July after undergoing shoulder surgery, has resumed light group training this week, leading to optimism that he could return earlier than expected.

Providing an update, Alonso said: “I want to be a little optimistic and hope he’ll be back before October. He’s doing some partial training, without contact, but Jude is making a great effort in his recovery.

“Let’s see if he can take steps forward next week and when we have a good feeling, we’ll be waiting for him.”

On being asked about what he made of Barcelona manager Hansi Flick’s comments regarding ‘egos killing success’ after their 1-1 draw vs Rayo Vallecano, Alonso replied:

“We want to be successful, with human qualities, with everyone feeling like they’re in the same boat, ready to row when necessary. We’re starting tough blocks and we need them all rowing in the same direction.”

The trip to San Sebastian will be a special one for Alonso as he gets to face his boyhood club, with his father also likely to be in attendance. On being asked which team his father will be supporting, the Real Madrid boss replied:

“I hope with us (laughs). It’s a special match at home.”

That chat then moved to the Real Madrid’s attacking department, filled in superstar options like Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappe, and Rodrygo Goes. So far, the trio have not started together under Alonso, but he refused to rule it out, saying:

“They can, they’ve done it before. It’s not out of the question, the fact that we haven’t done it so far means nothing. You can’t draw conclusions from just three games.”

Praising the form and performances of Kylian Mbappe, Alonso added: “He’s in a very good place, both in terms of his football and his personality.

“After his first season, he’s really looking forward to this second one and is embracing the role. It doesn’t have to be just him.”

Mbappe is on red-hot form in the new season. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Addressing speculations that Argentina want to take Franco Mastantuono for the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup, which could lead to him missing up to seven games, Alonso said:

“If it’s up to us, he’s staying with us.”

Issuing an update on the fitness situations of Camavinga and Ferland Mendy, the Real Madrid boss explained:

“Eduardo is at a similar stage to Jude, he can almost do everything. He’ll be on the list soon. He’s been given the all-clear by the doctors. Ferland has a few more weeks to go.”

Alonso has had more than three months to work with Real Madrid now, having taken over the reins in June. On whether he is starting the team that he wants on the field, he said:

“We’re still in the early stages. We want to keep changing things. Physically we’re better, we’re getting into the normal rhythm of playing every three days, we need fresh players.”

On whether he will revert to the three-man backline he was using at the FIFA Club World Cup, Alonso stated:

“It was because the World Cup was a different context to now. We needed a game plan, not to build what we want now. It wasn’t three centre-backs, it was a midfielder stuck in there.

“I haven’t forgotten that, we have five centre-backs so we can do it because of the quality of the players. The fact that it hasn’t happened in three games is not conclusive, there’s still a long way to go.”

Commenting on how he intends to deal with the competition at right-back between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal, the Real Madrid boss said:

“Fortunately, we have healthy competition within the team, and they are challenged internally because there are teammates who are ready… This also happens in other positions, such as centre-back and winger.

“Whoever deserves to play will play, and it will be very repetitive throughout the year.”

Concluding, Alonso touched upon the four Brazil players who were not called up to the national team by Carlo Ancelotti.

“Vinicius did not go because of the suspension. Mili is coming back from a long injury and when he has played, he has played at a higher level. Rodrygo is getting better and better. Endrick is very close,” he said.

“The four of them are not going to stay here again, if it happens, all the better, but I think Carlo will call them back.”

Source: AS