ATHENS.- After two draws in LaLiga and the defeat against Liverpool in Championsthe coach of real Madrid, Xabi Alonsostressed this Tuesday the “demand” of his position and the need to know how to “live” with criticism.
Before measuring Olympiakos On Wednesday, on the fifth day of the Champions League, the first rumors appeared about the management of the coach from Tolosa, who turned 44 this Tuesday.
“It’s demanding, but I’m sure I’m not the first coach who has to live with these situations,” Alonso acknowledged about his position as coach of Real Madrid.
“They are not new situations, we have to know how to live with them. We have the necessary demands and self-criticism, we are not happy with the situation we are in,” he added, mentioning that other coaches like the Chilean Manuel Pellegrinithe Portuguese Jose Mourinho or Italian Carlo Ancelottiwho trained him during his time as a white player, also faced similar moments and criticism.
Leader in LaLiga with one point ahead of him FC Barcelona and within the ‘Top 8’ of the Champions League that qualifies directly for the round of 16, Real Madrid, despite the setback, is still in a good position to fight for titles.
“We need a good game after these last duels, to have the taste of victory again. To do this, we have to play well, we have to have concentration, know that it is an important game,” he said about the clash against the Greek club, coached by the Basque player as well. José Luis Mendilibar.
Problems within the club?
In a press conference in which questions focused on the alleged wardrobe problems and his questioned figure, Alonso insisted on being aware of what his position requires.
“It is being what I expected, a very demanding job, with good moments, with moments in which you need that concentration, that connection. Moments in which you have to show a reaction, I think this is one of them, but I am enjoying it with everything it means,” declared the Tolosarra, who also spoke about his squad.
Changing room management is “as important as the football idea, the tactical work, the physical work. The management of personalities, of making the players feel as good as possible, is a process that has different curves, and you have to know how to take them well. In any team, and in Real Madrid of course, it is fundamental.”
