Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso spoke after a convincing 5-1 victory over Real Betis, praising hat-trick hero Gonzalo García, saying, “evidently, Gonzalo has had the game of his dreams. Playing at the Bernabéu, scoring a hat-trick in your first season in the first team. I’m delighted for him, he works so hard and has an impressive attitude, when he’s playing and when he doesn’t, and he’s a great example of the club’s youth academy. I congratulate him and encourage him to carry on like this.”
Xabi Alonso on whistles to Vinícius Júnior
“I think
Vini contributed a lot. He achieved a lot, got their right-back booked, he insisted and contributed to the team. I liked what he offered to us, I think he’s fundamental for us in the Super Cup against Atlético. He will be very important.”
Xabi Alonso on 5 goals from youth players for the first time since 1989
“What a stat. I think that’s very good news and shows that whoever deserves their chance will get it. When you get onto the field, you have your chance, because of your work and attitude, and I’m delighted for them. It was a deserved win, at home, especially after how we ended the year. We’re calm, but have good feelings heading into the Super Cup.”
Xabi Alonso on Gonzalo’s defensive contribution
“These days football makes you work as a team. Especially as a striker. You have to press high, you have to drop deep to stop their pivot, and Gonzalo does that very well, he’s good at accelerating and pressing. And he scores goals, which is important, but if you add the defensive contribution, you help the team’s balance to be a lot better.”
Xabi Alonso on Eduardo Camavinga
“We need everyone, as I always say, but Eduardo, due to circumstances, has come in and out and not had much continuity to keep improving. I hope we do because he has the quality and dynamism to break through lines and contribute from the middle to break defensive lines. We need that balance, with Aurélien and Tchouameni too. Rodrygo too, on the right or on the left or even in the middle. We need him at his best level, and he played a great game, we’re just starting the year.”
Xabi Alonso on how to handle whistles to Vinícius
“We understand moments. Vinícius is mature. We are mature. We are here to support each other, and we have to give the best of ourselves to respond. He is, has been and will be fundamental for Real Madrid. We will go to Arabia and when we come back I’m sure the Bernabéu will applaud him.”
Xabi Alonso on Kylian Mbappé’s fitness
“He’s not ruled out. We’re going to wait until Tuesday when we travel to see how he’s feeling.”
Xabi Alonso on the league or the Super Cup
“We have to win a lot of games. This was the last game of the first half of the season. Now we have to win a lot more games, it will be intense, and then from tomorrow we’ll look at the Super Cup.”
Xabi Alonso on his choices in attack
“Why don’t they all fit? It’s my decision. there are a lot of games, we’ll need to see the options, moments, and we won’t rule anything out.”
Xabi Alonso on Aurélien Tchouameni
“Yes, he’s going to Saudi Arabia.”
Xabi Alonso on Thibaut Courtois’ saves
“The contribution from a goalkeeper is crucial today. Thibaut understands that and how to take part in that well. We have to use him as another player, he has a good understanding of the game and is good with his feet. He likes it and we work on it a lot with him.”
