MADRID (SPAIN) – Xabi Alonso knows exactly what El Clásico means — what it’s like to win it, to lose it, and all the tension and talk that come before the game. He may be a young coach, but with plenty of experience, and as a player, he has seen it all. Now, he faces his first Clásico as Real Madrid’s head coach, and as usual, tomorrow’s match at the Santiago Bernabéu carries huge weight — both for the rivalry and for the league standings.
“Obviously, we’re talking about El Clásico — it’s always a special game, no matter what. It’s the first one of this new project, and we need to play it with the energy our fans will give us, hoping to celebrate with them after the final whistle,” said Alonso.
The controversies haven’t been missing — but that, too, is part of the Clásico. The comments made by Lamine Yamal (“They steal, but they’re always complaining”) didn’t go unnoticed. Alonso tried to sidestep the topic, but the questions kept coming. “Do those words serve as extra motivation? No. As I’ve already said, this match is so important, with so many elements involved, that motivation is already sky-high.” “I don’t want to get into other topics,” Alonso added. “There are many statements coming from Barcelona, and I can’t analyze everything. What matters is the pitch and focusing on how to play.”
Some believe Yamal’s comments could even cause tension within the Spanish national team. “More questions about that? I’m only thinking about the match ahead — it will be intense and hard-fought. I’m not thinking about anything else.”
So, full focus on Barça? “Yes, but I’m feeling good going into this one. I’m aware of its importance, though it doesn’t really change our daily work. The lineup? I already have it in mind, but I won’t reveal it here. We’ve recovered almost everyone who was unavailable for the Juventus match.”
If Barça will rely on Yamal, Real can respond with Vinícius and Mbappé. “He’s in good shape and motivated like the rest of the team. Kylian is a key player for us. I think we’re going into this Clásico in a good moment — both in terms of spirit and style. We’ve fixed a few things after the derby defeat.”
That 5–2 loss away to Atlético certainly made noise. “I understand — it’s an important match — but what matters to me is valuing the progress of our growth. I’ve seen improvement. Tomorrow’s game is another major step, but there are no trophies or medals to win yet. It’s just another stage, like the derby was.”
People often say Barça excels through their style of play, while Real is more pragmatic. “I like how my team plays, and I believe we can keep improving. We have a solid foundation and must continue taking steps forward. In my opinion, Real already plays good football. We won’t change our style just because we’re facing Barça.”
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
