Fran Garcia, David Alaba share thoughts after convincing win over Kairat Almaty – ‘This result will help us’ | OneFootball

Xabi Alonso rotated many of his regular starters in Real Madrid’s 5-0 win over Kairat Almaty last night but the team showed that even those on the bench have the quality to pull off wins at the highest level.

The likes of Alvaro Carreras, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo started on the bench with names like Fran Garcia, David Alaba, Dani Ceballos and Raul Asencio entering the mix.

Yet, the performance was as if the entire first-choice XI was on the field.

In the end, three goals from Mbappe coupled with a goal each for Brahim Diaz and Eduardo Camavinga settled the result.

Garcia getting back on track

Fran Garcia, who started in place of Carreras, spoke to the media after the game and commented on how the three points were crucial.

“It was a chance to get back on track and face things differently after how the weekend went,” he began.

“It’s a result that helps us and gives us momentum to show that the team is on the ball. We have to keep going and we’re going to keep the group and the team united.”

Mbappe scored a hattrick last night. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

When asked to speak on Kylian Mbappe, the defender said,

“We know about his quality, his goals that help us so much. But it’s also down to the good work of the team.”

“Kylian feeds off the team’s form and, obviously, we feed off his form. That says a lot about the team,” he added.

Garcia then opened up on how the team operates as a unit on the field and how successes are interdependent.

“Every player who comes on, whether it’s Gonzalo, Jude, Brahim or Rodrygo, contributes, and in terms of keeping the team together, that’s something that gives you a lot.”

Finally, the player opened up on the team’s upcoming challenges and how they planned to tackle them.

“It was all about getting off to a good start today and playing well. Being solid both up front and at the back.”

“Now we host Villarreal at the Bernabéu and then there’s the break. We have to take it one game at a time; that’s the best way to approach it when you have so little time between matches,” he added.

David Alaba’s thoughts

Alaba, who also started on the night, also spoke to the media after the game and revealed how it felt to play 90 minutes after a long time.

Alaba played full 90 minutes against Kairat Almaty. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

“I’m very well, ready to play 90 minutes like today. I’m very happy to have done it and I feel very good.”

Elaborating on what the three points meant to him and to the team, the player said,

“This was our goal. After the weekend game, our reaction was very important. Today we have played very well, very seriously, it has been great.”

Finally, he opened up on Kylian Mbappe’s importance in the team, especially in terms of goalscoring.

“He is a very important player for us. He is the best player in the world. Every game has chances, run for us.”

“It is very important in the field, but also outside. We are very happy to have you on our team,” he added.

Source: Real Madrid website