Category: 6. Sports

Tchouameni played the full match against Real Oviedo and spoke to Realmadrid TV after the game: “It was a very important victory. Before the start of the season, we had said that we had to win all three games before the [international] break, and we won the first two, today with a few more goals and a clean sheet. We have to continue like this and we’ll keep improving every day and every game.”

“We have a good balance between what we do offensively and defensively. The most important thing was to try to get the ball back as quickly as possible and create chances, as we did today. We scored three goals. Not everything is perfect, but we’re going to keep working and we’re confident we’re going to have a good season.”

The high press
“We try to win the ball back in the opposition’s half. When we win the ball back, it’s a bit easier to score goals; we did that today. All the players enjoyed this game, playing at a high level and we have to continue like this.”

His form and what he hopes to achieve this season
“We started the season three weeks ago. Between the Osasuna game and today we can see that the whole team improved physically and with the ball. Today we had a better game than against Osasuna, and I hope that against Mallorca we’ll do a bit better. I feel good with my form. We’ve only just started the season and it’s going to be a long one with the whole team. We have to play at a high level to win trophies. We will keep working and I hope we will win a lot of trophies this year.” 
 
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Xabi Alonso spoke in the press room at the Carlos Tartiere stadium after Real Madrid‘s win over Oviedo. The coach had this to say: “I analyse the victory from the game. We had a very good game. In the first half, we had a very good tempo with and without the ball and we were in control. Sometimes it was tough, because Oviedo were closed, but the rhythm was very good. In the second half, perhaps we dropped off a bit. Oviedo pushed forward and it was difficult for us to maintain the tempo.”

“We stole the ball from their defence, we moved the ball around and the second goal gave us tranquillity. It was a complete and very solid performance away from home, with great attitude from the team with and without the ball. I was very pleased.”

Vini Jr.
“He did very well when he came on. He was decisive in both goals. I’m pleased for him. We need everyone. Those who start, those who come from the bench. There’s going to be a lot of games for everyone.”

Carvajal and the national team
“He’d like to return, but it’s the coach’s decision. I’m very happy that he’s regaining his confidence after such a long injury. At the Club World Cup, he was in the mood, but he needed more time. And he still does, but today he played 85 minutes very much in the Carvajal style. Competing well, communicating and taking that leadership role. Bringing a lot of sense to everything. Hopefully he’ll go and, if not, he’ll go soon.”

Changes in the starting line-up
“It depends on what we need in terms of the game, the workload and the opposition. I haven’t made a decision for the next month. I’m going to see how we recover and to make sure that people feel important and ready to start, come off the bench or be able to be in the next game. This is important for the stability of the team’s performance. Today was a game to show that we’re still improving. We want to continue like this, now we’ll prepare for the Mallorca game before the break. We have twenty-odd players in the squad and I’m going to try to get the best out of all of them. Sometimes you can have a few minutes and be important, today Vini was important. My intention is that everyone contributes to the team. That’s going to be the norm.”

On not starting Vini Jr.
“Everyone is different. You have to demand the same respect, but the relationship you have is different. In football, you have to understand things and decisions are made with the team in mind. That’s how it was today.”

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On Mbappé
“He’s regained the 4 kilos he lost at the Club World Cup. I can’t tell you much about last season because I wasn’t here. I think he’s doing well, motivated and he’s spreading it to the team. I love seeing him do those turns. We know he’s going to score goals, but when we get those distances we’re on the same page, both when we have the ball and when we lose it. He did very well today and the other day as well. We’re still improving and seeing what we need to correct. We’ve only been here a short time but I think we have a positive feeling.”

What did he think of Rodrygo’s performance?
“He had a good game. In the first half, on that side he linked up well with Carreras, Mbappé sometimes dropped and so did Güler. He had one-on-one situations and a few shots. Oviedo were quite deep and it was difficult to find the space, but I liked it. After last week, we needed everyone and Rodrygo is one of them.”

What does he like most about Mastantuono?
“He had a very good game. In a short time he has managed to connect with the group and his teammates. He looks very involved in the day-to-day routine and in the game. He’s going to give us a lot, in the short, medium and long term. He’s very young. I’m happy he’s with us. He has great energy and a great left foot. He’s going to keep improving.”

Rüdiger’s return
“I have to try to get the best collective performance out of the players I have. Rüdiger is very reliable, stable and competitive. It’s good that we have players ready to play. Depending on what we need, we can choose one or the other. Militão played 90 minutes the other day after a long injury and we have to look after him. Antonio is very reliable.”

Reunion with Santi Cazorla
“I got a bit emotional because I know the moment he is enjoying here, after such a brilliant career. The atmosphere at the Tartiere was spectacular. I hadn’t seen Santi for a long time and I was thrilled to give him a hug. He’s a unique player.”

Courtois kept his second clean sheet of the season. The Belgian goalkeeper spoke to Realmadrid TV about his feelings after the team’s victory at the Carlos Tartiere stadium: “It’s a very important victory. Winning away from home with a clean sheet is important. The level we were at, the reactions, the pressure, they were very good until the final whistle. We knew it was a tough match, it’s the first one against Oviedo in the Primera for 24 years.”

“It’s a Primera División stadium, a Primera División team and I loved playing here. We knew it was going to be tough, they did well at the start, but then we bounced back and created a lot of danger. Their goalkeeper did a great job to keep the game very even until the end.”

What did the team do well?
“In attack, we could have finished the game off earlier. At 0-1 you know that they can always have moments, like the one that hit the post. All 11 of us defended very well, we pressed well and that’s how we’re going to win a lot of games. In attack, at the end we had 10 shots on goal and three goals, so it’s important.”

What did Xabi Alonso ask of them?
“He asked us to start well from the beginning, with a lot of pressing high up the pitch and alertness. If you’re pressing high up, they have no way of getting out and can only hit the long ball, and that’s where I am or a defender is to get the ball back quickly to attack again. It’s very difficult for the other team to get out of that pressure; that’s what we tried and it worked quite well. They might come out of the pressure and counter-attack, that’s why it’s important that all the players go back. That’s what we did today, also against Osasuna, and that’s the path we have to follow.”

Feeling on a personal level
“I feel good. In the end, against Osasuna I didn’t have much work to do. The coach is asking me to play much more forward, so I’m running a lot. I’m accompanying the team because when they press high up the pitch I have to stay there; I’m often in the middle of the pitch. It’s about staying focused, like that save at the end, and keeping a clean sheet. The match was about keeping a clean sheet for everyone and in the end winning 0-3 is better than 1-2 and enduring the last few minutes.”

The fans in Oviedo
“They’re great. We haven’t been here to play for a long time and it means a lot to them, they’re great fans, a great ground to play in the Primera División and there are also a lot of people who love Madrid.  In the hotel there was a little boy wearing my shirt who stood out and even though we were in a hurry for lunch I approached him and his father to sign the shirt. They both started crying and at the end of the day that’s very nice. It’s the little things that we can have. It didn’t hurt me to go there and sign it for him because I saw that he had my shirt. In the end, you bring some joy to their lives for both of them. That makes me happy.”

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