Following the 0-0 draw with Rayo Vallecano, Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso spoke to the media and addressed criticism by saying, “I’m concerned about wanting to keep growing, wanting to keep improving,
being positively self-critical, constructively self-critical”. He added that, “I think this is Real Madrid, we all know where we are and what we want, and at this point in time, we’re still in November, there’s a long way to go, so we have to be demanding of ourselves and also measured”.
Xabi Alonso on the result
“We were prepared for a demanding match, both this year and in previous years. We’ve always struggled, and this year is no different, to get ahead on the scoreboard, to play a good game, but Rayo also demands a lot from you. Especially in the second half, it was a game of transitions in which we were unable to break the deadlock, and they force you into a situation where the games are played at a frenetic pace, and today was no different.”
Xabi Alonso on the emotional impact of Anfield
“No, no. Today was a game after the game at Anfield, which is now behind us. Today we wanted to play a game, as we always do in Vallecas, and today it was also a bit difficult to get it where we wanted it to be. In the second half, anything could have happened, and on some occasions it did, but I don’t attribute that to emotional peaks. We want to be very stable in our preparation and in our mentality, because we know that La Liga is a game-by-game competition, and today we couldn’t win.”
Xabi Alonso on a lack of intensity
“We didn’t win every duel, but we didn’t lose them all either. It was a very competitive match against a Rayo side that plays a lot on the transition, but I think that in the second half the defence held up very well in the transitions. The pity is that we weren’t able to break them down in the attacks we had. But in defence, the team, the defensive line, Álvaro, Militão who came on, Raúl Asencio who also came on, Fede Valverde, held up well with the help of Eduardo. So I don’t see that, it’s not a lack of intensity.”
Xabi Alonso on whether he asked the forwards to help in defence
“In the second half, the match got a bit out of control. As I said before, there was a lot of transition from Rayo and from us. We lacked the ability to create more chances in some of our attacks, and the second half was very chaotic.”
Xabi Alonso on ‘crisis’ talk
“We know where we are, and I think that in good times and bad times, you have to know how to balance things out to get through it. The season is long, and as you said, the demands are high, but we live with that and prepare for it.”
Xabi Alonso on the absence of Endrick and Gonzalo
“We had other forwards on the pitch who can also create danger.”
Xabi Alonso on the fitness of Fede Valverde and Trent
“Different cases. Fede had a different niggle. Fede was fine before the game. Trent needs a little more time after his injury. Now, during the break, he’ll be able to prepare well for what’s coming next.”
Xabi Alonso on a loss of momentum compared to the start of the season
“We started the season in August with the entire squad we have available. Since we started the first La Liga match against Osasuna, that’s where we’ve been focusing and where all the players are. The United States trip was before that and different.”
