"I'm a man of action, not words. In football, pre-game promises often ring hollow," Alonso stated at the pre-match press conference on 18/8. "We're eager, we want to bring that energy to the field and let our performance do the talking. Mere words won't suffice. We aim to embark on that path tomorrow."

Coach Xabi Alonso during the press conference before Real Madrid's match against Osasuna in the first round of La Liga 2025-2026. _Photo: EFE_

Alonso, who led Leverkusen to a domestic double and the 2023-2024 Europa League final, replaced Carlo Ancelotti with the goal of salvaging the season with a Club World Cup victory. Under the Spanish coach, Real started well, with 4 wins and a draw in their first five matches, before suffering a 4-0 defeat to PSG in the semi-finals.

Due to their participation in the tournament in the US, Real Madrid had only 15 days of training before the new season. The club requested to postpone their match against Osasuna for additional preparation time, but the Royal Spanish Football Federation denied the request, citing that players are only guaranteed a minimum of 21 days off after the season, with no regulations regarding training periods.

"For the players' well-being, after a long season, we wanted more time. However, that didn't happen. We won't make excuses. Even with just two weeks of training, the team is ready to compete," Alonso emphasized.

Coach Xabi Alonso directs a Real Madrid training session on 17/8. _Photo: Real Madrid FC_

Real Madrid will be without several key players, including Jude Bellingham, Endrick, Eduardo Camavinga, and Ferland Mendy due to injuries, while Antonio Rudiger is suspended. Despite these absences, Alonso stressed the importance of team cohesion, particularly in the attack with stars Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe.

"It's crucial that all three lines understand their roles," he said. "The forwards can't be left isolated during transitions, and the defense needs to push forward when we attack. We want to operate as a unit, maintaining proper spacing both defensively and offensively. At the Club World Cup, we took a step forward. The entire team is aware of this and continues to work on it."

The 43-year-old coach also supported Real Madrid's opposition to La Liga's plan to move the Villarreal - Barcelona match to the US in December. "We knew the rules from the start of the season. If there are changes, everyone involved needs to agree," Alonso stated.

Hong Duy (_via ESPN, Managing Madrid_)