Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso Praises Huijsen, Militao, and Carvajal After First La Liga Win

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has high praise for his defensive trio of Eder Militao, Dean Huijsen, and Dani Carvajal following their 1-0 victory over Osasuna in their first La Liga match of the season.

Whoever deserves to play will play. Nobody is guaranteed a spot in the XI, but of course, I’m very happy with Huijsen and Militao. – Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid manager

Alonso, who secured his first La Liga win as Real Madrid manager, showed no favoritism when discussing his starting lineup, emphasizing that only those who earn their place on the pitch will feature regularly.

Alonso Reflects on the Win and Areas for Improvement

While satisfied with the result, Alonso acknowledged areas of the game his team needs to improve upon. “There were good things and things to improve,” he said. “The road is long, and we lack a bit of freshness. We have to analyze things to improve. There are positives, starting with the result.”

Osasuna’s Game Plan and Madrid’s Response

Osasuna played their game, putting up a high block and demanding a lot from Real Madrid, as Alonso expected. However, he was pleased with his team’s ability to play in Osasuna’s half and not allow them to pass easily.

Osasuna played their game. We expected a higher block from them. They demanded a lot from us, but we were able to play a lot in their half and not let them pass. – Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid manager

Praise for Debutants and Franco Mastantuono

Alonso was equally impressed by the performances of the four debutants, who were not bothered by the pressure of playing at the Santiago Bernabéu. He singles out Franco Mastantuono, saying, “It looks like I liked it, right? I was really looking forward to seeing him play, and sometimes the emotional aspect outweighs the tactical aspect. That’s good news.”

Alonso on Players’ Debuts and the New Bernabéu Experience

Alonso expressed his excitement about experiencing the new Bernabéu with its enhanced atmosphere. He praised the four debutants – those who played in the World Cup and Mastantuono – for settling in quickly and performing well under pressure.

Alonso also addressed speculations about a notable player, stating, “Nothing’s happening,” and reassuring fans that he counts on him, attributing any peculiarity to the one-off game context.

Did You Know?

Did you know that Xabi Alonso is the third-youngest coach in the history of Real Madrid, behind Zinedine Zidane and Juan Cobos?

Pro Tips

As the season unfolds, keep an eye on Dean Huijsen and Eder Militao to see if they can maintain their starting spots and form a solid defensive partnership.

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