Xabi Alonso Addresses Kylian Mbappé’s Champions League Aspirations
Xabi Alonso, the head coach of Real Madrid, recently addressed speculation surrounding Kylian Mbappé‘s mentality regarding the UEFA Champions League. With the French striker having yet to secure the prestigious title, some have suggested he may feel pressure to achieve this milestone now that he is part of the Madrid squad. However, Alonso dismissed these concerns, emphasizing that Mbappé is calm and focused.
Mbappé’s Transition to Real Madrid
Mbappé made the switch from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid last summer, while PSG celebrated their first-ever Champions League victory last season. Madrid, on the other hand, faced defeat against Arsenal in the quarterfinals, losing by an aggregate score of 5-1. Despite these setbacks, the standout forward has had an impressive campaign, netting 44 goals across all competitions last season.
Alonso’s Confidence in Mbappé
In a press briefing held on Monday ahead of the upcoming match against Marseille, Alonso was asked if Mbappé’s lack of a Champions League title was a source of anxiety for him.
“He’s not anxious, no,”
stated Alonso. He reiterated the idea that the club is embarking on a new project with Champions League victory as one of its ultimate goals, but he remarked that discussions about winning should be reserved for later in the season.
Promising Start to the Season
Alonso’s inaugural season with Real Madrid has thus far been promising, as the team has won all four of their La Liga matches, following a semifinal appearance in the Club World Cup over the summer. Mbappé has contributed four goals in this embryonic campaign.
Mbappé’s Leadership and Performance
Speaking about Mbappé’s performance, Alonso admitted that the forward’s previous outing at the Club World Cup was impeded by a bout of gastroenteritis, which limited his impact.
“I’ve always had optimism regarding Kylian’s potential. We are beginning to truly understand each other’s playing styles, and now it’s clear just how talented he is. We require him and the collective strength of our team,”
he said.
Alonso described Mbappé as an essential leader within the group, stating,
“He possesses the right personality and experience; his influence over the squad is undeniable. When the team is solid and cohesive, it becomes second nature for players to look to him.”
Support from Teammates
Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni echoed Alonso’s sentiments, highlighting Mbappé’s prolific goal-scoring ability last year and his ongoing form this season. He noted,
“Kylian is performing at an extraordinary level, and with him on the field, our chances of securing victories increase significantly.”
Upcoming Challenges
Looking ahead, Real Madrid faces a challenging group stage in the Champions League, with their upcoming fixtures featuring Marseille at home followed by a challenging journey to Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan, along with encounters against Juventus and Liverpool on the horizon.
