Alonso: locker room management and training are equally important, I am enjoying the process of coaching Real Madrid

In the fifth round of the UEFA Champions League early on Thursday morning, Real Madrid will go to an away game to challenge Olympiacos. At the press conference before this game, Real Madrid coach Alonso talked about the team's preparations and also answered some questions that fans and the media were very concerned about.

About what kind of Real Madrid we hope to see

We need to play well and regain the feeling of winning. We have to play well and stay focused, which is very important for us to advance.

About how important locker room management and player self-esteem are

Locker room management is as important as technical and tactical training and physical training. Whether at Real Madrid or elsewhere, this is crucial.

On whether it is difficult to coach Real Madrid

This is exactly what I expected. Coaching Real Madrid is a very challenging job. Sometimes you need to pay attention, sometimes you need to respond. But, I'm enjoying it all, enjoying the whole process.

On whether you really enjoy coaching Real Madrid

This job is indeed very challenging, I know this very well. However, I am certainly not the first coach to face this situation, it is not a new situation and we have to learn to live with it. We have enough self-criticism and dissatisfaction with recent games, but we also see where we are in the league and Champions League. All in all, I'm really enjoying the process.

On whether it is difficult to get along with big-name players

They are very demanding and professional. They're going to be in situations like this, but that's the kind of players they are. So, you have to connect with them emotionally.

Regarding some people saying that Real Madrid pays more attention to the players than the head coach

I think the most important thing among all teams is the players. The decisive factor is the quality of the players, their attitude and their preparation. We just accompany them and have to be by their side.

As for whether the players have the ability to sack the head coach

You have to respect the players very much and I will not talk about this issue. I know what’s going on in the locker room and what we have to go through and how to deal with the noise outside so that it doesn’t take us away from our goals. The recent results have not been ideal and we know the consequences, but we cannot be led away from the path we want.

About Olympiacos

I don’t know about the Olympiacos youth team, but I know that they won the UEFA Champions League (2024). Not only am I following them because we are about to play Olympiacos, but I also have a lot of respect for Mendiliba and Kovacevic. Mendiliba is a great coach, his style of football is extremely intense and he gets the recognition he deserves, just like he did at Eibar and other clubs.

About Real Madrid never winning in Greece

We have discussed this matter and hope that we can win tomorrow.

About less than 100 days since the start of the season, some people seem to have questioned their coaching ability.

We know what moment we are in now, and we also know our situation in the league and the Champions League. What I care about is what happens in Valdebebas or tomorrow's venue, and I don't care much about other things.

On whether the team’s veterans have stepped up

Whether it is an individual or a collective level, we will continue to make progress. When it comes to progress as a team, sometimes things go well and sometimes there are twists and turns, like now. Tomorrow's game is our focus.

About locker room management

Everything I have experienced contributes to coaching the team, especially the ambition shown by the great players I have worked with. Sensitivity to locker room atmosphere didn't make much of a difference, though.

Regarding whether the club sends a message to itself

I had an exchange with the club president this morning and I often communicate with José Ángel (Real Madrid general manager). Our daily communication keeps us connected.

Regarding the issue Mendiliba mentioned that the head coach should be given time

Any changes will take time. Looking back on the past three games, there are indeed some places that are not satisfactory, but we have communicated. At the same time, we have also done a lot of positive things. We just lacked consistency at certain stages and that led to a poor performance. But tomorrow we have a new opportunity.

As to whether players have difficulty understanding their own tactical concepts

That is not the case at all. What we discuss is very clear and it doesn’t change much from game to game because this is football after all.

source:tỷ số bóng đá m7