According to Diario AS, head coach Xabi Alonso shared his thoughts on the match, acknowledging its challenges.
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“It was a tough match. Fede’s early goal gave us an advantage and shifted our strategy a bit. Overall, we managed well in the first half. There were tense moments typical of a semi-final, but this team knows how to compete. It was a very intense match. After the 1-2 scoreline, we needed to adapt, which we did, though it required some resilience. This is the journey towards the title on Sunday, and we are headed to the final.”
Alonso was also prompted to comment on Diego Simeone’s remarks towards Vinicius Junior.
“I found that moment inappropriate. Cholo made comments to him that crossed the line in terms of respect among teammates. I don’t support that kind of behavior. Not everything is acceptable. I spoke with Vinicius about it privately.”
“I strive to show respect to players on the opposing team and generally refrain from engaging with them. Seeing those comments was disappointing. It’s not an example of good sportsmanship. There are boundaries, and respect for the opponent should always be maintained.”
Image via Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images
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Alonso: Mbappe set to travel to Saudi Arabia on Friday
Kylian Mbappe missed the match on Thursday due to a knee injury; however, Alonso indicated that there is a possibility he could play against Barcelona in the Supercup final.
“He’ll be traveling tomorrow, and we’ll assess his fitness. He feels much better now, has trained well, and his condition appears promising. His chances to play will be on par with all the other players available.”