The clash at the top of European football between Liverpool and Real Madrid is underway, marked by the great return of Xabi Alonso to Anfield. A place where he shone for five years and won his first Champions League in 2005. “classic of European football” that “the aficionado likes to see”as he himself described it at a press conference. But if the supporters were expecting a communion marked by nostalgia, they were treated to a first surprise: Xabi Alonso, as a pure tactician, made a strong and almost provocative decision, breaking with tradition.
“Just a football pitch”: Real boycotts training at Anfield
Real Madrid have indeed chosen not to carry out their final training session on the Anfield pitch this Monday evening, preferring to stay in the comfort of their training center in Valdebebas before flying to England. A rare decision at this level, which could be perceived as snobbish, or even a lack of respect. The young defender Dean Huijsen, present alongside his coach, summed up this state of mind with disarming frankness: “ For me, who has already played here, this is not a problem. It’s just a football field. (…) I prefer to train in our sports city than to do it here. »
“We give clues to the opponent”: Alonso’s tactical justification
So, arrogance or simple calculation? For Xabi Alonso, the answer is purely strategic. Far from wanting to snub his former club, the coach meringue explained this choice by an obsession with detail. “ It’s not out of suspicion or conspiracy. It’s just that in Valdebebas we control everything more,” he clarified. “ Here (at Anfield) we give clues to the opponent and I don’t think that’s the best thing to do. » A decision of a pragmatic tactician, which shows that he came as an adversary, and not as a nostalgic former hero.
Alonso the emotional vs Alonso the pragmatic
Because despite this cold decision, the emotion of returning is very real. Xabi Alonso spoke at length about what Liverpool meant to him. “ It influenced me a lot,” he admitted. “I spent five years with Rafa BenĂtez, I learned a lot about elite football from him. It helped me for this moment. » He even shared an anecdote about the famous Istanbul final in 2005: “Rafa (BenĂtez) had decided that it was me or Kewell who took (the penalty). Kewell was no longer there. I shot it, missed but put it in on the second try. And it changed Liverpool’s history. »
“Really special”, but came “to win”
In conclusion, Xabi Alonso has perfectly defined his posture: respect for the past, but total concentration on the present. If he recognizes that it is “really special” to return “to where we loved you so much”, he immediately recalled his objective: “ But we come for our mission, to achieve a good result. » This pragmatic approach is reflected in his choices (ensuring that Mbappé remains the No. 1 penalty taker) and his management of the locker room (he confirmed that the small conflict with Vinicius was “well resolved”). The emotion will be for after the match; this Tuesday, only Real Madrid counts.
