Xabi Alonso Offers Condolences to Diogo Jota’s Family, Remains Vague on Mbappe Ahead of Dortmund Clash
Ahead of the crucial FIFA Club World Cup match against Borussia Dortmund, head coach Xabi Alonso gave a press conference addressing various topics, including team preparations, injuries, and tactical directions.
Condolences Before Kickoff
Before diving into the tactical details, Alonso began the session with an emotional message:
“Before we start the press conference, in my name and the name of the club, I want to send my deepest condolences to the family of Diogo Jota, and a massive hug to his loved ones. It’s devastating.”
Squad Status and Injury Updates
Alonso confirmed that the matchday squad would remain largely unchanged from the previous game:
“The squad will be the same. Camavinga is better, but it’s too early for tomorrow. Militão and Carvajal are training, and we’ll see what happens.”
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When asked whether Kylian Mbappe would play against Dortmund, Alonso responded cryptically:
“He’s doing better. Day by day he’s been recovering, and tomorrow morning we’ll decide if he’ll start. There are things you leave open until the last minute, and this is one of them. I like the players to know before the press.”
Rising Talents: Gonzalo, Rodrygo, and Arda Güler
Alonso praised Gonzalo’s form and mindset:
“He’s doing very well and is taking advantage of the opportunity with his work, goals, and the desire he’s showing. We’re happy with him, and it’s what we expected.”
On Rodrygo, he shared optimism:
“I’m sure he can return to his best. He has a positive mindset, desire, and is ready when needed.”
Regarding Arda Güler, Alonso emphasized long-term development:
“He has to try to anticipate more than react. If the position is better, you arrive at the duel sooner. That’s the process he has to go through. It’s time to invest so that progress can be made. He’s doing well, and we keep pushing him to mature. He can make mistakes, and he has to accept them. He has a lot of qualities and is a special player. He has a wide passing repertoire, and we play better with him. He presses well, but he needs to learn and develop his game better. Expectations are high in Turkey, but we have to help him grow.”
Tactical Evolution and Key Players
Alonso revealed he’s been working on new tactical approaches involving three center-backs, with Tchouaméni playing a key role:
“I had seen him a lot, but in the end, you have to get to know him and see that he has the ability to adapt. He’s intelligent, and that position is fundamental for me.”
When asked whether Gonzalo and Mbappe could play together, Alonso said:
“Of course. It depends on the moment and the needs. They can be complementary, I don’t rule it out if the context demands it.”
Timeout Rule and Dortmund Threat
On the idea of introducing timeouts in football, Alonso responded candidly:
“Time is being reduced and everything is a little more limited. Tchouameni can be a hybrid and play both as a center back and a midfielder. We’re not going to be locked into one idea, and tactical diversity will give us alternatives to find solutions. We’ll see Dortmund’s approach and we’ll have to find solutions in the game, and the players, who know the opponent well, must do so.”
Assessing Dortmund, Alonso said:
“The Dortmund of tomorrow is more similar to the one I faced in May with Bayer than the one that faced Madrid. They’re different squads. Since Niko took over, they’ve been on the rise. They’re competing well. Niko has created a team that fits together very well. We know Guirassy is a danger and his first year has been spectacular. Adeyemi too. It’s going to be a very difficult team. The last two years they’ve achieved better results in Europe than in Germany. They’re a solid team up front and at the back. It’s going to be a tough match.”
