On the eve of a crucial clash against Manchester City in the Champions League, Real Madrid’s French midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni defended his coach Xabi Alonso on Tuesday, ensuring that the current crisis among the Madrilenians was the responsibility of the players.
“An attitude problem? I don’t know, replied Tchouaméni at a press conference, two days after the home defeat against Celta Vigo in La Liga (2-0). What is certain is that we must do better, with and without the ball, and be all involved. We hope we can improve, because what is happening now is not possible. »
“If we play without maximum intensity, it will be very difficult to win matches. We have to understand that we have to give our best on the pitch. Against Celta, we didn’t do it,” regretted the international midfielder of the France team.
“We are the players who were not up to par”
Asked about the responsibility of his coach
“For example, against Vigo, I think the game plan was the right one, and it was us, the players, who were not up to par. If we don’t win, it’s necessarily because there is a problem on the pitch, in terms of intensity, technical errors. All this is not the coach’s fault, it’s ours, ”he said the football player.
Regarding Manchester City, the former Monaco and Bordeaux player affirmed that Real were “capable of winning this match” if their players played “at their level”, to “change the current dynamic”.
“In football things can change quickly”
Questioned earlier in front of the press, Xabi Alonso estimated that his locker room was united in trying to get out of the crisis. “We are all united, without cracks. With the conviction that tomorrow’s match is an opportunity to turn the situation around. We have to look for that connection with the Bernabeu. If we succeed, I am convinced that we can win,” promised the Basque technician.
Victim of a broken finger against Celta Vigo on Sunday, Kylian Mbappé should be lined up against City to help Real return to victory.
“In football, for better or for worse, things can change quickly. The only way to turn things around is by staying positive, focusing on what we can control,” he explained. Response Wednesday evening.
