Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid boss, “Today we had things we need in every match”

Xabi Alonso emerged from the bowels of Mendizorroza with a measured assessment after a night that felt like a match point. “Today there were positive things – things we absolutely need in every game, things that have to be sustained,” he said after a win that does not silence the background noise but does deliver three precious points. And he summed it up plainly: “We came here to win; what mattered were the three points – and we’re leaving with them.” He also stressed unity at a delicate moment: “We’re all in this together, in the good moments and the not-so-good ones; today the team competed very well, with the conditions we had.”

It was a press conference that mixed criticism and praise for Valdepeñas, making his debut. “We conceded from the only action in which Valdepeñas made a mistake,” Alonso said in his overall analysis, mentioning him by name. He then added: “I congratulate him not only on his debut, but on the game he played; he competed and was a very steady player.” On the possible penalty on Vinicius and the lack of a VAR review, he was clear: “It looked like a clear penalty to me – Vini is moving very fast, there is contact – and I’m very surprised it didn’t even go to VAR. That said, it doesn’t surprise us… and we have to keep going.”

Xabi Alonso’s press conference after Alavés 1-2 Real Madrid

Asked how he experienced the game, Alonso replied that it was “a competitive match.” “We started very well and went ahead, but then we lost control and because of that we didn’t finish the first half well.” Madrid again began strongly after the break and created chances, before conceding from “the only action in which Valdepeñas made a mistake – because in all the others he was very correct; he played very well.” Carlos Vicente took advantage after a fine pass. “But the team kept showing character, fighting in a difficult stadium against a very intense opponent. That second goal gives us the three points and we’re leaving here very happy.”

On why the referee did not go to VAR for the Vinicius incident, Alonso avoided personal criticism. “I’ll talk about the action, not the referee. It looked like a clear penalty to me.” Vinicius was moving at speed, there was contact, and Alonso admitted he was “very surprised” it was not reviewed. “That said, it doesn’t surprise us. And we move on.”

When pressed about the identity of the VAR official, González Fuertes, Alonso cut the answer short. “You said it yourself. And we’ll leave it there.”

Asked whether he had seen a change in the team’s attitude and play, Alonso said yes. “The Celta game was not good – many things were missing – and today there were positive things.” Some are non-negotiable in every match, others still need improvement to keep winning. “We need continuity and consistency; it’s the league. If this helps us learn, it can’t be forgotten.”

Did the win bring calm? Alonso insisted the focus remains internal. “We’re very focused on ourselves, very together, preparing a game every three days.” He highlighted the context – injuries, suspensions – and again praised Valdepeñas’ debut. “Debuting for Real Madrid is always a special day.” But he warned that one result is not enough. “Now we have the Copa, then the home game against Sevilla. There’s a long way to go and this was an important moment, but we have to build on the good things we did today.”

On whether he felt relieved, Alonso returned to the same theme. “We’re all together in this. Today the team competed very well, with the conditions we had.” Unity, he said, is essential to achieving the day-to-day solidity that leads to improvement.

Challenged on a perceived pattern of strong starts followed by a loss of ideas, Alonso disagreed. “Every match has been different.” For him, Celta, City and Alavés were three distinct games with different phases. While there have been matches this season without consistency, he did not see that pattern in the last three.

Asked about the seven minutes between conceding the equalizer and scoring the winner, he said he experienced them like any other spell – staying connected, thinking how to help the players, making adjustments. “I didn’t experience them in any particularly different way.”

Finally, on what Madrid lack to regain attacking fluency, Alonso pointed to the opposition. “This was a very competitive ground. Alavés play at a very, very high tempo, with huge intensity.” Winning there is never easy. “Of course we want more continuity, but it’s hard to dominate 90 minutes in every game. Today we came here to win. The most important thing was the three points – and we’re leaving with them. Now it’s time to think about the Copa.”

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