On the 16th, Real Madrid will host Marseille in the opening match of the Champions League (CL) group stage. The stage, of course, is the sacred Santiago Bernabéu.
Coach Xabi Alonso expressed his special excitement at the pre-match press conference, speaking about his trust in Mbappé and the attacking players, as well as the good news of key players returning. For the 15-time European champions, this match marks the first step of a new challenge.
CL at the Bernabéu is “special”
Xabi Alonso could not hide his excitement about taking charge of his first Champions League match as Real Madrid’s coach. At the press conference, he said, “When you play for Real Madrid, you always carry the highest expectations.” He emphasized how special it is to play at the Bernabéu and expressed his determination to make a strong start on Europe’s biggest stage.
Looking back on his playing days
As a player, Alonso achieved his long-awaited CL triumph in the 2013-14 season. Reflecting on that time, he said, “The repeated semifinal defeats were what eventually led us to victory.” Speaking about the club’s further success after his departure, he calmly stated, “I never felt it was too soon to leave.” For him, the history of suffering and success is what defines Real Madrid’s tradition.
Trust in Mbappé and the attacking line
Alonso also commented on Mbappé, who has been in fine form. The forward has already scored four goals in La Liga this season and, alongside Vinícius and Rodrygo, has become a core part of Madrid’s attack.
He noted, “When the whole team functions, their flashes of brilliance can make the difference,” revealing his focus on building a collective foundation to maximize individual talent. When asked about the obsession with winning the Champions League, he replied, “It’s not an obsession, it naturally becomes the goal,” showing his approach of avoiding excessive pressure on his players.
Return of key players and growing expectations
Another piece of good news is the return of Bellingham and Camavinga. Initially expected back in mid-October, Bellingham made the squad a month earlier than anticipated, giving the team a major boost. Camavinga also returned from a right ankle injury, strengthening the midfield depth.
On the other hand, Mendy, Rüdiger, and Endrick remain sidelined, so the squad is not yet complete. Still, the returnees are expected to provide significant momentum.
Reactions from the Fans 🐾✨
The CL opening at the Bernabéu really is something special 🌟.
And to think that Xabi Alonso is the one leading the team on that stage—it’s just thrilling 🔥.
It’s also reassuring that Mbappé is already scoring goals early in the season, and I can’t wait to see him link up with Vinícius and Rodrygo 💥.
On top of that, the news of Bellingham and Camavinga returning is truly huge 👏.
With this squad united as one, it feels like they really can climb back to the top of Europe again 🏆✨.
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