Xabi Alonso explains the role of Vinícius Jr. and Mbappé ahead of Real Madrid’s La Liga debut

Xabi Alonso is set for his first La Liga match as Real Madrid manager on Tuesday (19), when the Merengues host Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Spanish coach, an idol during his playing days, now begins his journey on the sidelines with an ambitious project built around balance, teamwork, and star power.

Collective Responsibility for Vini Jr. and Mbappé

One of the main talking points in Alonso’s pre-match press conference was the role of Vinícius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé, two of Madrid’s biggest attacking weapons. The coach stressed that their defensive contribution will be just as important as their offensive brilliance.

“It’s important for the attackers not to be caught off guard in transitions. We want to function as a team, attacking and defending together,” Alonso explained. “This collective balance will be crucial for the season.”

A Motivated Squad Despite Short Preparation

Real Madrid enter the new campaign off the back of a Club World Cup victory, but with limited preparation time. The squad trained for just two weeks before the La Liga opener. Even so, Alonso expressed confidence.

“We’re approaching this moment with enthusiasm and eagerness. The first game is always important, and we want to start well, especially at the Bernabéu,” he said.

Progress With Tactical Ideas

The new manager admitted that while the team has already assimilated several tactical principles, the process will take time. Still, he sees promising signs.

“We’re making progress. We laid the foundations for the Club World Cup, and we’ve been working on them in recent weeks. The feeling is positive, but there are still steps to take,” Alonso noted.

Confidence in His Squad

With the transfer window still open and speculation about possible departures, Alonso emphasized full trust in his current players.

“I’m counting on all the players who are here. I want them 100% focused because we need that,” he concluded.