How do you manage a locker room? This is one of the questions asked to Xabi Alonso during his press conference this Friday morning. “Be yourself. The main thing is to be authentic, without pretending. Always think about the best interests of the team. Maintain good relationships, based on respect, while understanding that everyone is different. Emotional intelligence is essential »replied the Spanish coach. His precepts were clearly not followed by Vinicius Jr last Sunday, following his replacement. The Brazilian then made a spectacle of himself, belching and clearly displaying his discontent. Since then, the Spanish press has been making waves on this controversy, which resulted in a message of apology from the Madrid player. A message in which, however, Xabi Alonso was not cited.
“It was a very valuable and very positive statement. He showed honesty, he spoke with sincerity. What he said was the most important, and I was very pleased with it. The case was closed on Wednesday »said the coach in response to a question about his absence in Vini’s message. He previously confirmed that the player had also apologized to the dressing room. “We had a meeting with everyone on Wednesday, and Vinicius was impeccable. He spoke frankly and behaved very well. For me, it’s settled”said Xabi Alonso. To listen to him, all’s well that ends well, but more is needed to convince a Spanish press which has declared on several occasions that the break was complete between the two men, and that Vinicius was even considering leaving.
Xabi Alonso wants to move on
“No, there will be no retaliation”assured the Merengue coach, who wanted to cut short the subject. “I think I’ve explained things well enough. I understand that you are focused on this point. The decision was made on Wednesday. We had a very good week. What worries me is Valencia. I understand you, but I would like you to understand mine too”he then asked the journalists present. Who were not afraid to follow up a few minutes later, asking him if he was afraid that this situation would happen again. “I think the whole team, Vinicius included, is focused on the essential: being on the pitch. The goal is the same for everyone. We want the situation to remain safe. »
For Xabi Alonso, one thing is certain, the incident is over, he wants to move on and he will not punish his player excessively for his behavior. This will not prevent observers from scrutinizing his next team composition choices and his substitutions during the match. Real Madrid host Valencia, a team in difficulty, tomorrow in La Liga and will travel to Liverpool on Tuesday in the Champions League. Two matches which will allow us to see if the scar is indeed closed.
