I went to the pre match press conference for Real Madrid’s match against Rayo Vallecano. This was the last game before the international break.
Real Madrid over the past few years have had issues going to Rayo Vallecano’s home ground and Xabi Alonso was asked about it. Many questions were about Madrid’s difficulty against Rayo Vallecano and their manager Iñigo Peréz who has been performing well. Xabi admitted to the difficulty of the match and the intensity required to get all 3 points. A particularly interesting question was about Iñigo Peréz and his rise as a manager, which Xabi Alonso stated that he was a great manager with a great style of play and how he always makes Rayo Vallecano difficult to play against. Xabi Alonso compared him to Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth (which made me particularly happy with Basque representation, as many high profile managers are of Basque heritage).
Xabi was asked about the midweek Champions League match at Anfield. Xabi Alonso said that the next game is the most important and how he wants to continue his good league form. This was the recurring answer for Xabi Alonso during this press conference. Especially, when he was asked how Real Madrid play either incredibly or incredibly poorly and there is no in-between. This was met with the same response on how each game is different and how the next one is the most important.
Xabi Alonso was asked about certain players like Rodrygo and Valverde asking about their usage and positions. Xabi Alonso said that these players are versatile especially Valverde who has been playing right back due to Carvajal’s injury and how Rodrygo can play across the front three as another potential weapon in Los Blancos’ arsenal which could lead to more minutes for the Brazilian.
This press conference was a particularly cagey one in my opinion where I believe Xabi Alonso is keeping his cards close to his chest.
