I was able to go to the prematch press conference for the biggest game on the calendar for Los Blancos, El Clásico. Compared to the press conference I went to last week vs Getafe it was easy to see the difference in importance that El Clásico has by seeing the attendance for the press conference.
Xabi Alonso was asked about the feelings for his first El Clásico as a manager (of course he was part of this match as a player). He said that of course it is a special game and highlighted the importance of the fans and atmosphere in the stadium to help push the players.
He was then asked about the comments that Barcelona star Lamine Yamal made ahead of El Clásico, especially how he has already scored in the Bernabeu and so it won’t be a challenge to score again. However, Xabi Alonso responded with limited emotion saying that he does not pay attention to the comments and that he is focused his preparation for the game.
He was then asked about the results from last season where Real Madrid failed to beat Barcelona on four occasions. Xabi responded saying that of course there will be similarities from last season with regards to passages of play. However, this year is different and how he has analysed the previous season and is looking to correct issues from last season.
Xabi was then asked about the preparations and how if has been different. However, Xabi denied this and said the preparations have been the same however, he understands the importance of the match.
He was then asked about certain players and the starting line up. Xabi Alonso did not reveal the line up. He was asked about the use of Mbappe in this match. In the previous season Mbappe was caught off side frequently throughout those matches. However, Xabi Alonso said that Mbappe is still improving and that he is important not only in behind but in the build up and the importance of his efficiency inside and outside the box.
Xabi Alonso was asked about his only defeat to Atletico Madrid in a derby game and could this be the same situation. Xabi Alonso said that it is too early into the project to make assumptions and that tomorrow’s match is the most pressing matter at this current time.
The last most interesting question once again was about Lamine Yamal’s comments about Real Madrid and how it could affect the Spanish national team like it did in the early 2010s. Xabi Alonso jokingly asked that if there was animosity in those times, as he was part of said team in the 2010s (I think there was). But he reiterated that this is an important match and how tensions are high. He then concluded that he does not think about the larger consequences of these comments.
To conclude this game is set to be one of the biggest and legacy defining ones in Xabi Alonso’s managerial career.
