Xabi Alonso on Villarreal vs. Barça Miami: "If the rules are changed, it must be by unanimous vote of the participants."

Two and a half months after his presentation, Xabi Alonso returned to the Valdebebas press room 24 hours before his La Liga debut for Real Madrid . The match against Osasuna at the Bernabéu will serve as the starting point for this new team led by the Tolosa native, with the Club World Cup semi-finals and that tough defeat against PSG serving as the Whites' final competitive test.

"We're taking steps forward. It's difficult to know what level we'll be at because there are certainly still a few left to go, but we've already been introducing the fundamental ideas at the World Cup, and in these two weeks we've really put them into effect. The feeling is good," he admitted.

Without Mendy, Camavinga, Bellingham, and Endrick , all injured, and without Rüdiger, still suspended, Alonso is considering Brahim , Gonzalo, and Rodrygo for the third forward spot and will rely on Tchouaméni, Valverde, and Güler for the midfield. Mastantuono, the latest signing, will be waiting on the bench for his debut, now that he has turned 18 and has joined the group.

"The first time I spoke to him, I was surprised by his personality. He was 17 years old, but he was a very self-confident man. He wasn't afraid of anything, and since he arrived, his maturity has been evident," Alonso said of Mastantuono .

When asked about the transfer market and the possibilities of arrivals and departures from the team, the Tolosar native declined to give too much information and stated that "I'm counting on everyone here." "I want everyone at 100%, and we need everyone at 100%," he insisted.

Madrid-Osasuna will close the first matchday of La Liga after being postponed until Tuesday, a circumstance that does not convince the Real Madrid team, which requested the postponement due to the understanding that it had little rest following the Club World Cup in July, a tournament where it reached the semifinals.

"Our request was for the players' health, to respect their time... It would have been nice to receive that support . We've only had two weeks and there's no need to make excuses. Desire and heart are stronger than legs," commented the coach, who also referred to La Liga's plan to play this season's Villarreal-Barcelona match in Miami .

"I agree with the club's statement. At the start of the competition, we all knew the rules; if they are changed, it must be by unanimous consent of the participants. All League participants should have been consulted beforehand ," he declared.

This Tuesday, Alonso will return to the Bernabéu exactly 11 years after his last match in white at Chamartín, on August 18, 2014, in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Atlético Madrid. "My relationship with the Bernabéu was very good. The role is different now , but I hope to maintain that relationship with the club. I'm not ready, whatever happens, whatever I feel, happens, but I'm happy to be back," he concluded.