Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso addressed the media after a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League at the Bernabéu on Wednesday night as he stated that, “I’m focused on the next game. The important thing here is Real Madrid. It’s the team, the players and how I can help them. It’s not about me.”
Xabi Alonso on the performance
“We have nothing to regret. We tried until the end, we started well and took the lead… but there are moments when any blow hurts more, and that’s how it was. In 10 minutes, with a corner and a penalty,
they took the lead. When the match was serious, competitive. But we conceded, we didn’t control those situations well and then the team tried. For better or worse, but we tried until the end. We had chances, we lacked the finesse to score a goal… but I have nothing to complain to anyone about.”
Xabi Alonso on the equaliser
“When you’re in a delicate situation, not only in terms of play, but also in terms of where we’re coming from, with the injuries we’re dealing with at the moment… you find yourself a little less solid. And that allowed them to come back too quickly. In these games, you have to concede very little, and we did that, but it was enough for them to turn it around. And then… when things don’t go your way, you have chances, some in the second half to score, but we didn’t manage it.”
Xabi Alonso on the boos
“There have been moments of every kind of reaction; also some in which they applauded and pushed us on until the end. We tried. And we’re not happy with the run we’re on, obviously, but I have nothing to reproach anyone for. And never the fans, because they’ve seen a lot and know a lot about this. And the players today either.”
Xabi Alonso on refereeing controversies
“They are actions that you see… on the first goal, they grab Courtois a little bit. Well, they are plays that, for my part, I interpret differently. The referee saw it that way and it was decisive. I don’t know, I haven’t been able to see it again…”
Xabi Alonso on the hug from Rodrygo
“I’m very happy for him, because he was coming off a difficult period, without playing much, and today he was great. He played very well, he was unstoppable and he scored that goal, which is very important for him. Seeing him play is one of the best things about today. And then… the closeness of the fans, the team… that’s there. And together we can turn things around. I appreciate that.”
