“You have to know how to compete,” says the Real boss after a tough victory over Getafe sets the stage for a massive Clásico week.
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso hailed his team’s ability to win ugly after a grueling 1-0 victory over Getafe, a win that required more grit than flair but sent them to the summit of La Liga.
Speaking after a match decided by a late Kylian Mbappe strike and two Getafe red cards, Alonso made no apologies for the unattractive nature of the performance. “It was a tough, demanding match. You have to know how to compete and be prepared for a match that wasn’t going to be the most attractive,” he told reporters.
The manager reserved specific praise for the game-changing impact of his substitutes, Vinicius Jr. and Arda Guler. He revealed he had spoken with Vinicius beforehand about his potential role as a catalyst, stating, “Vini Jr. had a big impact… He caused problems for the opposition and drew cards from them.” Of Guler, he said the young Turk’s ability to find space was crucial, directly leading to the winning goal.
Despite the narrow margin, Alonso expressed satisfaction with the resilience required to secure the three points, especially after a late scare that required a vital save from Thibaut Courtois. “The team fronted up and knew their jobs,” he said. “We’re going into next week with good energy.”
With the job done, the manager’s focus was already shifting to the monumental challenges ahead. “It’s over now, I’ve got three points and tomorrow I’ll start thinking about Juve,” Alonso said, already looking past the grind at Getafe to the upcoming Champions League fixture and the season’s first El Clásico.
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