Ahead of a high-stakes Club World Cup clash between Real Madrid and Juventus, head coach Xabi Alonso addressed the media, offering insight into his team’s preparations, the challenge posed by Juventus, and the much-anticipated return of Kylian Mbappé.
A Test Against a “European Giant”
Alonso opened the press conference acknowledging the magnitude of the match:
“Tomorrow we’re playing against a European giant like Juventus and it will demand a lot from us—a great match in terms of football, mentally, and in terms of focus. That’s why we’ve been preparing for the past two days and everything is ready for tomorrow.”
He emphasized that while the match is crucial, it is not the first major test of his tenure:
“It’s a very important match because it’s a different competition, the World Cup, and we know how decisive it is. But it’s not the first major test—it’s simply a very, very important game.”
Tactical Preparation and Team Identity
Alonso highlighted his commitment to tactical innovation and collective strength:
“We use drones to see training from a different perspective, to observe the distance between players and other tactical aspects. The most important thing for me is to manage the distance between players on the pitch. Defend together, attack together.”
He also reiterated his vision for the team:
“We want a team that works as one, with the 11 players fully committed, whether we have the ball or not. Our collective strength will allow individual talents like Vinicius, Mbappé, Rodrygo, and Bellingham to shine.”
The Return of Key Players
Real Madrid’s squad is bolstered by the return of defenders Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão.
“Both Dani and Éder are coming back after a long recovery. It’s an advantage for them and the whole team to feel they’re close and involved. At this decisive stage, everyone—starters and those supporting—has an important role.”
Mbappé’s Status: “A Big Possibility”
The big question on everyone’s mind was whether Kylian Mbappé would make his Club World Cup debut after recovering from illness. Alonso provided a positive update:
“Kylian is doing well. We talk day by day. He feels better. Tomorrow morning we’ll talk and make a decision. Chance? Many. I don’t know how many. But there are a lot of options to play.”
Respect for Juventus
Alonso was full of praise for the Italian side:
“Juventus will be a tough opponent. They’re a very intense team, very disciplined, with clear ideas—strong both collectively and individually. They have high-level players who are very competitive, some who arrived this year either on loan or as signings, and they’ll definitely be tough opponents. Our reference point is not their last game against City—we’ve been studying other references and we’ll be ready.”
Focus on the Present
When asked about the impact of the Club World Cup on player health, Alonso was clear:
“We’re not thinking too much about the medium or long term. We’re giving great importance to this tournament and we’re only thinking about beating Juventus.”
The Role of Individual Brilliance
Alonso stressed the importance of balancing team structure with individual talent:
“Our idea is to make the team work collectively, that all 11 players are committed in every phase, both with and without the ball. Then of course, individual quality will benefit from that. Vinicius, Mbappé, Rodrygo, Brahim, Bellingham—our attackers are the ones who need to make the difference. They’re the ones who can do something special in the final third—things I honestly can’t teach. But what we can do is help build the structure to get them into those areas more often, to create that balance and consistency. That’s where we coaches can really contribute. We’re looking for that collective strength so that our individuals can shine.”
Looking Ahead
With the squad nearly at full strength and a clear tactical vision, Alonso and Real Madrid are set for a decisive showdown. As he put it,
“From now on, it’s win or go home.”
