Xabi Alonso analyzed the news of Bayer Leverkusen before the game against Athletic and spoke about his feelings before a game as important as that of the Metropolitan.
Madrid and continue next season in Leverkusen
I can’t say anything, we are in the middle of a season and all clubs have big goals. Atlético has them, Madrid too and I’m thinking about getting them. The match is very important for both of us and I am focused on that.
Emphasis
“He is a fundamental player for us. Piero has been a very important part since I arrived. He is taking steps forward, in the national team he is assuming that role and we are happy to help him. We don’t know where he is going to go.
Call and Boniface
Boniface was good, the feeling is that he has improved a lot. He will be called up, it is important, he has to train more, but it is an important step for him.
Simeone
“I have a lot of respect and praise for Simeone for what he has achieved at Atlético. He has been at this club for 13 seasons and has a great influence on the club. This team is perhaps the best he has ever had, my congratulations to Atlético. They are performing very well. well in the League and the Cup. They have many players in the squad, they can rotate and they are ambitious this season.”
Teams favored by referees
I come from Germany, I am not going to enter into the debate, I am not going to enter into the controversy. I leave it for those involved.
Love from Madrid and the Real Madrid fans
Time passes but the love endures and that relationship is unforgettable. It is appreciated, the bond is very strong, it was a very nice stage as a player. They were intense years, it was difficult for us to get what we wanted but when we achieved it it will last.
Wirtz
In England they will talk about Salah, here about others and we talk about Florian. We have to help him to give the best level. Grimaldo must perform well, Piero, Aleix… He is a player with a good present and a great future. Last year we achieved something incredible but we want to continue it. We come with a clear objective to be in the Top 8 and be successful in the Bundesliga. It is the greatest motivation for all the players and when they feel that the team takes another step. We want to take a step further.
Leverkusen game
This season we had other challenges. We were coming from a season in which we were competing in the Bundesliga and Europa League but now we were coming to the Champions League. We had to know how to read the games, compete. We are still in the group stage and if we want to continue passing rounds, that feeling of coming to the Metropolitano is important. We are better understanding how to solve the problems, but the preparation and the process are very important.
Differences compared to the game two years ago
Two years have passed, many things have changed for us, but so have for Atlético. That moment was complicated for Atlético and it was hard. Now at Atlético’s moment you see many reasons why it is very positive. It may be Atlético’s best squad in the last ten years, they are capable of rotating in the three competitions and the team continues to work. They are prepared to achieve great ambitions. In LaLiga they will fight until the end, in the Cup they are in the Quarterfinals and tomorrow will be a different match compared to two years ago.
Questions about his future and Madrid
I have not prepared myself, nor does it bother me, nor does it surprise me. I’m only thinking about Atlético, it’s what I’ve prepared for and I have enough.
Special match playing against Atlético?
Returning to Madrid is always very nice, I have the memory of two years ago, which was exciting. Coming back always has a special touch. Atlético demands a lot from you and that is already enough motivation.
What you demand from your team
“Tomorrow is a very demanding match and we are going to have to understand the match. Atlético knows what to do with the ball and knows how to wait. They have players who know how to give rhythm but who have great control – passing. When the Metropolitano comes on they shoot and You have to know how to handle those moments. The players are prepared.
Uncertainty regarding classification for the round of 16
You have to know how to wait, we will have to see how it evolves tomorrow. Our idea is to give our best level, we have a great opportunity, but we respect the rival, who also needs a victory. We have to know how to interpret the game, but we are in a good position.
Boniface
“Today for the first time he trained throughout training and we need him for the second part of the season. He will be on the bench, he needs minutes of training and competition, but he is a very important piece within the team.”
Simeone and the personality of Atlético
“Without a doubt, a coach who has had such a direct participation in the progress of the club, in the successes of the team. Cholo and Atlético, the connection is perfect and successful. Koke, I don’t know how many seasons he has had, but they understand each other instantly. perfection like Griezmann or De Paul. It is transmitted in his faithful idea. He has an obvious imprint on his team and the club.”
How does Leverkusen improve compared to Atlético?
Comparing whether one is better than the other, I leave that to us. We are both in a good moment, Atlético, despite the last defeat, is in a great moment. We have some casualties.
Bayer and Atlético favorites to win the Champions League?
We want to be in the Top 8. It is our short-term goal. We have it close, but not that close. We have to fight for it, tomorrow’s game is fundamental and for them too. Incorporate Simeone? Many things. The transmission capacity he has with the team is essential for a coach.
Only five players from the eleven of the last victory against Atlético in the squad
I haven’t been there that long either, the first step was landing, getting to know the club and the team. Then we made good decisions, last year was fantastic, I have a great group that helps me a lot. When you have players who pull the rest, the team flows and pulls. It has its own personality. We are achieving it and we must feed it.
