Xabi Alonso Expresses Sympathy for Diogo Jota’s Family While Keeping Kylian Mbappe Status Unclear Before Dortmund Match

In the lead-up to the pivotal FIFA Club World Cup fixture against Borussia Dortmund, head coach Xabi Alonso took the time to engage with the media in a comprehensive press conference. He addressed a range of topics, including the team’s preparation strategies, injury updates, and tactical insights essential for the upcoming match.

Condolences Before Kickoff

Alonso commenced the press conference with a heartfelt tribute before transitioning to the tactical discussions:

“Before we start the press conference, in my name and the name of the club, I want to send my deepest condolences to the family of Diogo Jota, and a massive hug to his loved ones. It’s devastating.”

Squad Status and Injury Updates

Alonso provided crucial updates on the squad composition, indicating that it would remain largely the same as their last outing:

“The squad will be the same. Camavinga is better, but it’s too early for tomorrow. Militão and Carvajal are training, and we’ll see what happens.”

Addressing the availability of Kylian Mbappé, Alonso was cautious yet optimistic:

“He’s doing better. Day by day he’s been recovering, and tomorrow morning we’ll decide if he’ll start. There are things you leave open until the last minute, and this is one of them. I like the players to know before the press.”

Rising Talents: Gonzalo, Rodrygo, and Arda Guler

Alonso took the opportunity to commend the impressive performances of Gonzalo, expressing confidence in his contributions:

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso during press conference

“He’s doing very well and is taking advantage of the opportunity with his work, goals, and the desire he’s showing. We’re happy with him, and it’s what we expected.”

Turning to Rodrygo, Alonso expressed optimism regarding his potential return to form:

“I’m sure he can return to his best. He has a positive mindset, desire, and is ready when needed.”

On the topic of Arda Güler, Alonso stressed the importance of gradual development:

“He has to try to anticipate more than react. If the position is better, you arrive at the duel sooner. That’s the process he has to go through. It’s time to invest so that progress can be made. He’s doing well, and we keep pushing him to mature. He can make mistakes, and he has to accept them. He has a lot of qualities and is a special player. He has a wide passing repertoire, and we play better with him. He presses well, but he needs to learn and develop his game better. Expectations are high in Turkey, but we have to help him grow.”

Tactical Evolution and Key Players

Alonso shared insights into new tactical strategies, highlighting the integration of three center-backs, with Tchouaméni positioned as a pivotal player:

“I had seen him a lot, but in the end, you have to get to know him and see that he has the ability to adapt. He’s intelligent, and that position is fundamental for me.”

Responding to whether Gonzalo and Mbappé could play together, Alonso indicated flexibility in strategy:

“Of course. It depends on the moment and the needs. They can be complementary, I don’t rule it out if the context demands it.”

Timeout Rule and Dortmund Threat

Regarding the potential introduction of timeouts in football, Alonso expressed his views with clarity:

“Time is being reduced and everything is a little more limited. Tchouameni can be a hybrid and play both as a center back and a midfielder. We’re not going to be locked into one idea, and tactical diversity will give us alternatives to find solutions. We’ll see Dortmund’s approach and we’ll have to find solutions in the game, and the players, who know the opponent well, must do so.”

Assessing Borussia Dortmund’s current standing, Alonso noted:

“The Dortmund of tomorrow is more similar to the one I faced in May with Bayer than the one that faced Madrid. They’re different squads. Since Niko took over, they’ve been on the rise. They’re competing well. Niko has created a team that fits together very well. We know Guirassy is a danger and his first year has been spectacular. Adeyemi too. It’s going to be a very difficult team. The last two years they’ve achieved better results in Europe than in Germany. They’re a solid team up front and at the back. It’s going to be a tough match.”

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