Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has urged his team to focus on victory in the Champions League despite the fatigue from a long journey.
After a heavy 5-2 defeat against Atlético Madrid in La Liga, Alonso told his players to leave that setback behind and concentrate on the Champions League clash. Real Madrid traveled a long distance to play against FC Kairat in Kazakhstan, one of the farthest eastern cities to host a Champions League match.
Following their 5-2 loss at Atlético’s stadium, Real will face Kairat on Tuesday. The team traveled 6,441 kilometers from Madrid to Almaty, creating an enormous logistical challenge for Europe’s most successful club.
The city of Kairat was thrilled to host a match against 15-time Champions League winners. Speaking at a packed press conference on Monday, Alonso emphasized the importance of learning from past defeats.
“When it comes to victory and defeat, both feelings should last for 24 hours. After that, we analyze. It’s not just about morale, it’s about speed and tactics – match-related matters. We have analyzed and will move forward accordingly,” he said.
Real started their Champions League campaign two weeks ago with a 2-1 win over Marseille. When asked earlier about facing Kairat in Almaty, Alonso had noted that it would be a challenging environment for his team and looked forward to seeing how the players handle it. Now that moment has arrived.
“This is just another match. The long journey is not an excuse. Who the opponent is or where we play doesn’t matter – we want victory,” Alonso added.
Despite the first defeat of the season, Alonso remains confident in his team’s ability to bounce back.
“Sometimes you take one step forward and two steps back. It’s painful, but we’ve come in Champions League mode,” he said.
“We couldn’t give our best against Atlético. This is part of the learning process. It’s painful, but we’re already thinking about what to do next. We don’t want to drop points. The team that adapts best is the smartest. A good start is crucial. We want points even on our opponent’s turf.”
