Xabi Alonso talks Rodrygo, Mbappe, Endrick, Perez, Guardiola after Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City

Real Madrid could not muster up a win against Manchester City last night, but what they did do was dish out a performance that they can be proud of.

At a time when the team are struggling for form, the men in white did not look inferior to the visitors in any capacity and the result could well have gone any of the three ways.

In the end, however, two set-piece goals helped the Blues take all three points over Real Madrid .

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso faced the press after his team’s second consecutive defeat and gave his thoughts on the game, performance and improvement. Without being overly critical of the result, he began,

“It was a very competitive match with different moments.

“ We started strongly with Rodrygo’s goal and a few other chances, but when you’re not at your best mentally, in ten minutes they took the lead from very little, with the corner and the penalty.”

“The team kept going right until the end and hasn’t lost face despite all the difficulties we’re facing, like injuries,” he added.

Xabi Alonso praised the players’ attitude. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Praising his players for their attitude at a difficult moment in the season, Alonso continued saying,

“The players gave it everything they had, and I have nothing to criticise today. I really value their attitude.

“ We have to keep going. It’s the Champions League. At the moment, the results aren’t as good as we’d like.”

“We’re critical, we demand a lot of ourselves, and we understand the fans. We have to keep working hard.

“ We believe we’ll get through this because everything passes, and I’m convinced we can do it,” he added.

Alonso then stressed his view that Real Madrid deserved at least a draw last night and played at the same level as Manchester City.

“Our goal is to be more consistent in our performance regardless of who we’re playing. It’s a Champions League match against a very good side, but we did enough to deserve a draw; anything could have happened.

“The team showed focus and tempo. They pushed until the end and the players gave their all. We have to look ahead with what we have,” he added.

While the final result was indeed a defeat, Real Madrid will look to take the positives from the game against Manchester City and Alonso was asked if this could be a turning point in the season.

“Time will tell. The result is still very recent, but today the team fought hard and there were periods when we played well.

Rodrygo was on the scoresheet against Man City. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

“ The intention to compete, to play and to go for the game knowing that it was a Champions League match was positive.”

With the team having lost at the weekend and on an overall poor run of form, the atmosphere at Santiago Bernabeu was hostile towards Real Madrid and Alonso understood the same.

“It’s normal. It’s nothing new. It’s not something that hasn’t happened here when you don’t win at home.

“ There have been other times when they’ve supported and urged us on. They’ve given us the energy that people thought the team needed.”

“We can understand why they whistle, and we have to accept it as normal because the demands here are so high.

“ We want to turn things around, improve our mental and physical condition, and get the injured players back. There’s still a long way to go,” he added.

“You paint it in a certain way, but we have to stay calm because it’s a long process. What seems one way today may change in the not-too-distant future.

“ The results are what they are. How you interpret them is another matter,” he concluded on the topic.

For Alonso, the game last night was massive as there were rumours that his job was on the line. He was thus asked to open up about his mental state and strength, to which he said,

“It’s nothing new for coaches. You have to live with it, and when you’re the coach of Real Madrid , you have to be prepared to face it bravely, responsibly and self-critically, knowing that things can change.”

“Despite the result, I’ve seen positive things individually and collectively. Other things haven’t gone so well, but we’re still in it,” he added.

He also revealed that he had yet to meet Florentino Perez.

“We haven’t seen each other. I’ve had interviews and I’ve come straight here.”

Alonso then went on to praise Pep Guardiola and spoke about his relationship with the manager.

“I have a very good relationship with Pep. We know each other well and he knows exactly what he was saying. It’s not my place to comment on those comments.”

Alonso praised Endrick’s impact. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

The manager then opened up on certain players who left a good impression on him on the night, beginning with Endrick who finally saw some rare minutes.

“He had a good impact. The team needed a player who could come on with energy. That was good news. We talked about his situation yesterday, and he came close to scoring.”

He also praised the goalscorer, Rodrygo , saying,

“I liked his performance. The goal was a consequence of other things he did well. It’s one of today’s good pieces of news to see him with that individual quality, that flair, and he also scored, which was important for him.”

“We know about his quality. I feel the support of the players. We are together every day, we prepare for matches and I like the closeness we have,” he added.

He then opened up on the mutual respect he and Rodrygo shared.

“The hug and the goal were positive. It made a difference. I’m very pleased for him. He will improve and he is on the right track.”

Real Madrid now enter a difficult game away against Deportivo Alaves, one where they will seriously be pressed for defensive resources given the injuries and suspensions.

“Our preparation for each match is to compete as best we can, and to do that we want to play every match with technical, physical and mental quality.

“ Nowadays, it’s essential to play with intensity against a very good team and we know that.”

Finally, he was asked to provide an update on Kylian Mbappe and the Frenchman’s availability at the weekend, to which he said,

“It’s too early to know if he’ll be ready for Sunday. We have to take it day by day, and he wasn’t fit to play today, otherwise he would’ve played.”

“We miss him, but we had enough chances to score that second goal,” he concluded.

Source: Real Madrid website