Spanish coach Xabi Alonso, the Real Madrid manager, confirmed that Kylian Mbappé is the team’s first-choice penalty taker, but pointed out that “players sometimes make their own decisions on the pitch.”
This statement came in response to Vinícius Júnior missing a penalty during the big win against Valencia (4-0) on Saturday in the Spanish League, which angered the Royal team’s coach.
Alonso tried to downplay the incident in the press conference that followed the match, saying: “My anger was because of the missed penalty, not because of the identity of the player who took it,” and added: “We determine who takes the penalties, and Mbappé is the first, but after that… decisions are made.”
He avoided speculating about the number of goals Mbappé will score, who currently has an amazing rate this season, reaching 1.29 goals per game (18 goals in 14 games).
He said: “Talking about the next six months would just be speculation, but it is clear that he has great ease in reaching the goal… and I do not know how many he will score, but he will score a lot.”
The Spanish coach praised the development witnessed in Fede Valverde’s performance in the right-back position, saying: “With the ball, he has the mentality of a midfielder, but he has tremendous physical strength… the more he plays, the better he feels in the position… he is a versatile player anywhere on the pitch.”
About the reason for not conducting training at Anfield before facing Liverpool at home in the Champions League next Tuesday, he answered with a smile: “The decision is mine, so that 200 cameras do not capture us.”
“We know what awaits us against Liverpool”
In response to a question about whether the team misses additional goals when Mbappé gives up a penalty to Vinícius, Alonso answered: “Mbappé scored two goals, and maintains an excellent rate, which enables him to compete for the Golden Boot at the end of the season… The most important thing is that we gained three new points, and presented a complete match without conceding goals… It was a serious match with high energy, we started it strongly with good movement and quick possession, then managed it perfectly… We probably deserved more goals, but the match was wonderful in all aspects.”
About whether it was a “perfect night,” he said: “It is not completely perfect, but it was very good… We managed the minutes in the second half, because we know what awaits us on Tuesday (against the Reds)… We were ahead and in control, and we had to act intelligently, because some players have played a lot recently… We do not want to relax, but we will continue with the same seriousness against Liverpool, then in Sunday’s match at the Vallecas stadium (against Rayo Vallecano).”
About his anger after the missed penalty, the Spanish coach stated: “I was angry because Vinícius missed the penalty just before the break, and it would have made the score 3-0… but fortunately Bellingham scored later… The anger was because of the missed opportunity, no more.”
About Mbappé’s right to take all penalties, he explained: “Mbappé is the first-choice taker, but we determine the names in advance, and then the players may make their own decisions on the pitch.”
In response to a question about whether he likes the players to manage this decision themselves, he answered: “What I like is that the penalties are scored. We have a good opportunity every time, and Mbappé scored the first, and I wished the second would be scored as well. There is no big issue, Mbappé is still the first-choice taker.”
Vinícius and Bellingham
Regarding Vinícius’ performance, he simply said: “He had an excellent match.”
Regarding Bellingham’s role, he answered: “There is a difference between Jude’s position, and what happens before the ball reaches him… We have to work to reach him in effective places. Today, the goal he scored came from an ideal position. He is capable of performing different tasks, but when he is in that area, he is more decisive for me.”
Regarding the stability of the defensive formation, he explained: “It is impossible to play with the same four throughout the season, but the most important thing is the clarity of concepts… We have flexible defenders who can adapt to a plan with three or four. Soon we will regain Alaba, while Rüdiger needs some time, but he will be ready for the next stage. This gives us great tactical flexibility and competitiveness.”
Xabi Alonso concluded the press conference, confirming that no training will be conducted at Anfield, saying: “We prefer to prepare in our sports city, in our own atmosphere, away from the noise of the cameras.”
Real Madrid is experiencing a strong season under Alonso, as the team is presenting a balanced performance between defensive solidity and offensive effectiveness. Also, the recent victory in El Clásico against Barcelona (2-1) strengthened confidence within the group, and confirmed the team’s personality in major events.
Alonso relies on clear tactical discipline, diversification in playing styles, while the team has shown tactical maturity over time, in addition to its offensive depth and the flexibility of its players, which makes the Royal team the first candidate currently to win the Spanish League, in addition to competing for the Champions League title.
