Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso chose not to comment on remarks made by Lamine Yamal prior to the Clásico. The Barcelona player jokingly asserted in a YouTube interview that Madrid “rob and complain.”
Yamal made the comments while promoting Gerard Piqué’s Kings League, where he serves as president of a team, and addressed whether any league rivals acted in a similar manner to Madrid.
As Real Madrid prepares to host Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu, they currently hold a two-point lead over their rivals after nine matches.
“This match is significant,” Alonso stated during a Saturday press conference when asked about Yamal’s statements. “It has many elements… What really matters is what happens on the pitch tomorrow and how we intend to play. That’s my main focus.”
Barcelona’s assistant coach, Marcus Sorg, who is standing in for Hansi Flick, downplayed Yamal’s comments as well.
“Lamine is an outstanding player, and I believe this will serve as motivation for him,” Sorg noted on Saturday. “We hope to see him deliver his best performance tomorrow.”
Last season, Madrid suffered losses in all four Clásico encounters, including two in LaLiga, and one each in the Supercopa and the Copa del Rey, suffering a 4-0 defeat at the Bernabéu.
“We have analyzed those matches,” Alonso commented. “However, the situation is different for us now; it’s a different project, and we’re just getting started. We want to capitalize on our strengths.”
In Alonso’s two most notable games so far, against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semifinal and the derby against Atletico Madrid, Madrid faced significant defeats.
“I prefer to focus on the process rather than just the results,” Alonso explained. “It’s been 12 matches; there has been growth, and there’s still room for improvement, but we are approaching November. No trophies are awarded at this stage. There’s plenty of season left.”
Defenders Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dani Carvajal participated in training on Saturday after recovering from injuries.
“I have an idea of my starting XI,” Alonso revealed. “Almost all the players who missed the match against Juventus are now back, and you’ll see our lineup tomorrow.”
– Clásico combined XI: Which players are included?
– Barcelona’s Raphinha ruled out of Clásico
– O’Hanlon: Spain’s Clasico sees a new star matchup: Mbappé vs. Yamal
– El Clásico is approaching! Match analysis, key confrontations, predictions, and betting odds
Last season, champions Barcelona ended four points ahead of Madrid and secured a domestic treble.
This season, Madrid has won eight of their nine LaLiga games and all three of their Champions League matches, with their only loss being a 5-2 defeat against Atletico.
Barcelona, after suffering back-to-back losses to PSG and Sevilla, has bounced back with two victories in the past week.
Information from Sam Marsden of ESPN contributed to this report.