The coach spoke after a 2-1 win over Olympique Marseille.
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso addressed the media after the 2-1 Champions League win over Olympique Marseille. He evaluated the performance by saying that, "we’re growing, the players feel that we can carry out what we talk about, we have very good phases in the matches, perhaps we lack a bit of continuity, but we’re on the right track and in three months’ time we’ll be much better".
"We’re at a very demanding point in the calendar, we need everyone… We need Vini, Rodrygo, Franco… It’s important that everyone feels important."
"A lot happened, it was a typical Champions League match in which everything happened. I really liked the first half hour, the pressure, we were very confident about what to do, recovering a lot… we just needed to back up our good play with goals. Despite conceding, the team continued to play well. The second half wasn’t as frenetic in terms of pace. With one less player, I didn’t feel like we wanted to hold on, we went forward just the same. We showed maturity, we hardly suffered at all."
Xabi Alonso on his conversations with Vini
"If there are private conversations, they stay at Valdebebas. There will be moments for everyone. No one is going to play every game. No one can feel offended for not playing a game. Vini has come on well. The substitutions had a good impact on the game."
Xabi Alonso on why he’s so energetic on the sideline
"I’m active, I like how I feel. I live every match as if it were my last."
Xabi Alonso on the second substitution
"There were only two windows left. I didn’t want to waste the window."
Xabi Alonso on Trent’s injury
"We’ll wait a bit, maybe it’s not as bad as it could seem… We have to be creative when looking for solutions. Asencio came on well. Camavinga and Jude are back, they’ll be able to play on Saturday."
Xabi Alonso on playing with three centre-backs
"There are options and we have flexible players. It opens up a scenario where we have to think, see what solution might be good."
Xabi Alonso on the youngsters
"What I said at the Club World Cup, that we had to invest in Arda, makes more sense now. Arda was making more touches than he should have, and that’s why the mistake came. It’s no problem. He’s worth it and he’s on the right track. And I say the same about Mastantuono. I think he’s going to do well; he’s had chances."