Just some days after securing a 2-1 win over Olympique de Marseille within the UEFA Champions League, Actual Madrid return to motion on Saturday, this time in La Liga, the place they tackle RCD Espanyol.
Actual Madrid are the one crew in La Liga to keep up a 100% file 4 video games into the season and are seated on the prime of the desk – two factors and two locations above Espanyol, who’re third with ten factors.
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As such, tomorrow’s contest on the Santiago Bernabeu is not going to be a straightforward one, with the Catalan membership .
Actual Madrid boss Xabi Alonso spoke to the media forward of the match, addressing a number of subjects, together with Dean Huijsen’s controversial one-match suspension.
Kicking issues off, Alonso acknowledged Espanyol’s good type, but in addition acknowledged that Actual Madrid are additionally in second.
“Espanyol are in excellent type, however we even have good power to increase this part. It will likely be difficult, as a result of they’re in good type, however we’re at residence. We should play sport,” he mentioned.
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On Vinicius
The chat then shortly turned to Vinicius Jr., who was ignored on the bench for the second match this season vs Marseille.
When requested if he felt the Brazilian had misplaced a few of his spark, Alonso replied: “He appears to be like high quality. Yesterday, after the opposite day, it appeared prefer it wasn’t the proper time to speak to him. However at the moment he was extra constructive. I talked to him a bit and did some workout routines….”
On how he plans to assist the 24-year-old get well his greatest model, the Actual Madrid supervisor famous:
“I noticed him yesterday, and it wasn’t the time to speak, as I mentioned. It’s important to have a little bit of that instinct, and we talked just a little at the moment. However we’re solely 5 league video games in. There’s nonetheless an extended solution to go; it is a marathon till Might. We’ve to take it step-by-step.”
Upon being requested what Rodrygo provides on the left flank that Vinicius doesn’t, Alonso famous:
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“His high quality, his potential to maneuver ahead, his potential to hyperlink up… however Vini additionally has that. Each within the beginning lineup and off the bench, his impression has been excellent.”
Now not a assured starter. (Picture by Angel Martinez/Getty Photographs)
When requested if Vinicius is struggling on account of an absence of focus, the Spaniard responded by saying:
“For me, there are lots of essential gamers on this squad. When it comes to degree, expertise, observe file, and what they’ll carry us. Vinicius is one in every of them, Jude, Fede, Aurélien, Dean, Arda…
“I’m not going to get into these labels we wish to placed on them proper now. I worth everybody very a lot and I need the entire crew to really feel essential. Everyone seems to be on this boat, and we want everybody pulling in the identical course.”
On Mbappe, Valverde and others
Up to now Xabi Alonso has been joyful to rotate his lineup within the 5 video games, however Kylian Mbappe has been one of many only a few gamers to have began each. When requested if the Frenchman was his solely confirmed starter, he mentioned:
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“There are a variety of video games… and he’s certain to overlook out on some. It’s important to settle for it naturally. It’s not possible to play… effectively, not not possible, it’s doable to play in each sport, however I don’t suppose it’s going to occur.
“Kylian is essential, there can be some the place he received’t begin.”
Concerning Dean Huijsen’s one-match ban being upheld regardless of the Referees’ Committee (CTA) acknowledging an error in his sending-off, Alonso echoed , saying:
“On one hand, I’m not stunned. I might have favored a special resolution… nevertheless it’s not going to be doable. If a mistake is accepted, it ought to have penalties, however no. And let’s depart it at that.”
Speaking about Federico Valverde’s feedback about him assuring that the Uruguayan wouldn’t play at right-back, Alonso mentioned:
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“I don’t learn about ensures, as a result of you’ll be able to by no means get your fingers caught, however the thought is for him to play in midfield. He gave rather a lot to the crew the opposite day. He was very beneficiant, he’s elementary to our system, he offers us rather a lot.”
Concerning Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga and their readiness to play in opposition to Espanyol on Saturday, Alonso remarked:
“They could play, though they’ve solely been coaching for a short while. Possibly, we’ll see.”
On what he thinks is Camavinga’s greatest place, Alonso mentioned: “As a midfielder. He’s clearly so full that he can play in lots of positions, like Valverde. However I see him within the center, as a six or eight .
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“He has many skills, and now we have to combine him into the crew’s high quality, each on and off the ball.”
Alonso additionally mentioned the prospect of dealing with former supervisor Jose Mourinho within the Champions League, now that the Portuguese has been appointed the brand new coach of Benfica.
“I had the prospect to face him when he was at Roma and I used to be at Leverkusen. It will likely be particular for him. It was three very intense years… and he was essential. He has an enormous affection for this membership,” he mentioned.
The Actual Madrid supervisor additionally acknowledged that the crew have but to carry out to their fullest, particularly with crimson playing cards costing them.
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“We’ve had a number of matches conditioned by context, primarily by playing cards. However I hope that in longer intervals we’ve got that sense of management. I need us to generate, to have stability within the sport, as a result of that can give us emotional stability.
“It can stop us from getting too excited. When you go too far… typically you make dangerous choices. The longer these phases of play are, the higher.”
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