Speaking from Athens after the 4-3 UEFA Champions League win over Olympiacos, Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso was asked if the victory could be a turning point and said, “we’ll see, time will tell. We’ve
had good feelings… and shared things. We came into it in a difficult situation and with injuries, but we won and we’ll take that. This is football and we have to think about the next thing. The schedule… I don’t know if we’re playing five games in a row away, it doesn’t happen very often. But let’s go for it.”
Xabi Alonso on the win
“It was very important, obviously, after three games without a win, we needed to get that winning feeling back, an intense game, a game where we conceded early on, but I really liked how we regrouped without losing control, trusting that we would have opportunities. The last half hour, the first half was very good and the second was more contested. They were already in need, we took a 2-4 lead and then it was a tight finish, but today was about winning, taking the three points, putting ourselves in a good position in the standings and now focusing on the league.”
Xabi Alonso on his biggest takeaway from the game
“The spirit we’ve had, of wanting to make the most of it, of wanting to turn around these poor results we’ve had, and then with sacrifice, with unity, with everyone together, and this is a bit of the tone we wanted, and today it’s been very important.”
Xabi Alonso on Kylian Mbappé
“Well, you hear the names and you get goosebumps, the history of the club and Kylian, the goals, I’m very happy for him, but I value many other things besides the goals, the influence he has, the leadership he has, the person he is before the match when he talks to his teammates and then the team wants to help him, he helps the team a lot and today he deserves it.”
Xabi Alonso on the second half
“First, I want to highlight the most important thing, the three points; vital not only for the standings, but also for breaking the dynamic of three games without a win. Because we weren’t feeling good. The match had all kinds of moments. We went 1-0 up in the 8th minute, but we had the composure, confidence and maturity not to go crazy. We turned it around comfortably and then… there were all kinds of moments. We needed to adjust, have longer periods of possession… But the match is over and I’ll take the three points.”
Xabi Alonso on conceding 18 shots
“We have to improve in everything, be more solid in those phases, be more united. There were moments in the first half when we did really well and we have to take that away with us. And the things we didn’t do well, we’ll improve on. But combine that with the punch we’ve had. We were struggling to score, for example… but today we were going for the win. We did it, we broke the dynamic and now we want to repeat it in the league.”
Xabi Alonso on Vinicius’ performance
“I feel very bad about the disallowed goal, because it’s a move we talked about and it would have given him a good feeling, because it’s very typical of him.”
Xabi Alonso on the build up to the game
“It was very positive, productive. Those hours helped us to continue growing and not break the momentum, to live with difficult moments. I thought the unity among the players was very positive. This is the only way.”
Xabi Alonso on Mbappé scoring 22 out of 40 goals under him
“Mbappé is very important, needless to say. His goals are fundamental, but they’re not the only thing. His personality… is among so many intangible things. Like teamwork, unity. The goals… are a natural talent he has.”
Xabi Alonso on whether he feels relieved
“I was much calmer than you might expect. I’m not a rookie and the road is long. And it’s not all roses. You have to be critical and demanding of yourself, but we know there’s always the next game. And you have to look ahead.”
Xabi Alonso on Andriy Lunin
“He played well, he has a lot of personality. He’s always ready and he’s proven that throughout his career. We have a great goalkeeper in Thibaut and he plays his role well, always ready when needed. He conveyed a lot of calm and confidence.”
