How Does the Bernabeu's History Inspire Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Real Madrid begins their 2025/26 Champions League campaign.
- Xabi Alonso expresses motivation from the club's history.
- Kylian Mbappe aims to contribute to the team's success.
- The Bernabeu Stadium plays a vital role in the club's identity.
- Alonso is focused on immediate goals rather than future outcomes.
Madrid, Sep 16 (NationPress) The UEFA Champions League record holders, Real Madrid, are set to kick off their 2025/26 season against Marseille this Wednesday (IST). With the club's illustrious legacy, head coach Xabi Alonso feels an even greater sense of motivation.
Having succeeded Carlo Ancelotti this season, Alonso faces the challenge of upholding the club's reputation for European triumph.
"We approach this with immense enthusiasm as we prepare to play the Champions League with Real Madrid. For this team, it holds special significance, and competing at the Bernabéu, with its rich history, is incredibly motivating. The fans are eager for progress, to continue evolving, and to face a challenging, high-caliber opponent. Tomorrow presents a formidable challenge, and we hope to start strong," Alonso remarked during the pre-match press conference.
Much of the discussion has centered around forward Kylian Mbappe. After narrowly missing out on the UCL title with Paris Saint Germain, Mbappe joined Real Madrid at the start of the 2024/25 season. In his inaugural year at Real, PSG clinched their first-ever European title.
Alonso is optimistic and does not perceive any anxiety from Mbappe. He believes that both the player and the club must stay focused on the right path to achieve their goal of winning the trophy sooner rather than later.
"I don't detect any anxiety in him. We all recognize that this is a project in its infancy. One of the objectives during our time in Madrid is to secure the Champions League. We hope this will happen soon and that we are on the right track to attaining it. Kylian is a crucial part of this. Today we discussed the significance of the Champions League, but our focus is not on May; it’s on the immediate future," he added.