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Real Madrid's head coach Xabi Alonso spoke to the media in the press room at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. He analysed the match against Al-Hilal in the first matchday of the Club World Cup: "We've been here for several days now. We'll be better positioned and everything will work better. We have to recognise where we are, keep possession and recover by being the more compact team. We've worked on that a lot. I feel that the players are eager after closing a chapter. There are new faces and the timing is right for everyone. I can say a lot now, but tomorrow the rock'n’roll begins, the moment of truth".
“Nowadays, balance and commitment are fundamental, and everyone needs to be involved in every phase. The distances and the fact that the team is close together will make things much easier for us. We're going to try to be as effective as possible and hopefully on the last day of the tournament, we'll be a better team than at the start. The matches will tell us a lot and tomorrow is the starting point. We'll see where we end up.”
What mustn't be missing tomorrow?
“A hunger to win, to compete and to try to play well. Self-respect, defending the badge and that team commitment. The team already has that and we're going to try to add some subtleties. We have to play as a team”.
Favourites?
“In any competition that Real Madrid takes part in, it can be among the contenders to win it. We're coming here with that intention. Right now, we're not thinking about the final. Everything will come in due course. We want to take steps forward and feel that we're building a team and recognising how we want to compete and play. Tomorrow is the starting point and we're sure to be lacking things. We mustn't get frustrated and must keep taking steps forward”.
Al Hilal
“We have to prepare for the game in the best possible way. The opponent will be tough, but we have to focus on ourselves. We don't know how they're going to play because Inzaghi hasn't had a game yet. They're a team with a lot of quality and good players. They have a top-level coach who was just in the Champions League final. It's an intense challenge for us”.
His first days
“The excitement of starting this project is tremendous and it's a fantastic time for everyone. I'm happy to have been with them for this time because we're going to make progress in many areas. We're looking forward to it. Training is good, but you want to see the team in action. The match will tell us a lot and many of the things we want will take time.”
Bellingham
“He’s able to cover a lot of ground, but he has to start from the right position. He has the soul of a midfielder and the quality to get into the box. His starting point is important. Finding the right position will help him and the team because he has important abilities.”
Mbappé
“He was feeling a bit better today, but not well enough. It's very hot and it was better for him not to train. We're going to wait until the last minute and decide tomorrow morning. He's a more dynamic striker. He's not positional. He's not a target man, but he's a nine who scores a lot of goals”.
High temperatures
“I'm not worried at all because it is what it is, it's something I have no control over, although it does have a big impact. We have to accept it and know how to adapt. We have to take it in our stride”.
The squad
"Day-to-day life is very good because the individual quality is incredible. Now we have to work hard. I really appreciate and respect what they've done. We're starting a new era and we're going to work in our own way. There's a very good foundation and we have to build on that”.
The injured players
“Rüdiger put in a tremendous effort during the season and has worked very hard to recover. He'll be the first to return. If all goes well, he'll be in the squad for the second game. We have to be patient with the others. Camavinga is progressing faster than we expected. Alaba, Carvajal and Militão need more time".
Rodrygo
“The end of the season wasn't easy for him, but he took some time out, which was good as he didn't go away with the national team. It helped him to reset. We've been talking since day one and I can see he's eager to contribute and enjoy himself on the pitch. He can give us a lot of good things”.
Ceballos
“We talk every day. He's a very intelligent player. He loves football and we have little chats, although we haven't had a big conversation. We've talked about what the team can be and I'm very happy with him”.
Mastantuono
"He's a guy with a fantastic present and a brilliant future. The maturity he has in his game carries over off the pitch. I was impressed with the conversations I had with him because of his ambition and maturity. Things don't happen by chance. Today he won 3-1 with River and the steps he's taking have led him to be with us in August. He's going to be a very important addition for us. I saw him with ambition and confidence”.
Modrić
“We've always had a very good relationship. We trust each other to know what needs to be done at any given moment and I like the confidence he has in the younger players. He's a very good influence and we want to enjoy that in the four weeks we're going to be here. He's a generational player, a legend of Real Madrid's history . We want to squeeze every last drop out of him".
The adaptation of the younger players
“In the process of adapting to Madrid, everything takes time. Even Luka, I remember how he improved over his first year. It's a natural process and I'm sure that little by little they'll help more”.
The right-back
“For any coach, it's a huge privilege to have that level of player. Trent is more flexible and we're eager to have Carvajal back because of his personality and competitive level. Trent has had a big impact from day one and it's a privilege to have that headache of thinking about who's going to play”.
Vini Jr.
"I didn't know him, but within ten seconds I recognised his personality and the way he communicates with people. He's very passionate and you have to be close to him. I really like having that kind of player. He has a big heart. That's what I've felt over the last few days”.
The grass at the Hard Rock Stadium
“I'll see it when we get back. They've already played games here and we hope it's fine. Let's see if they can water it because of the heat".
What have you liked about the start of the competition?
“The Brazilian teams have performed very well. They're going to be tough opponents. It's something new for everyone and we can make this competition great. Being able to play against teams from different countries and continents makes this competition really attractive. Sometimes we think that there's nothing else outside Europe and we're very wrong. It's an opportunity to see where we are.”
