Xabi Alonso spoke to the press in the media room at Real Madrid City to assess the team’s LaLiga matchday two clash with Oviedo (Sunday, 9:30pm CEST): “I’m sure it’s the most special of games for Oviedo for two reasons. First, because they’re back in the top flight after so many years, and this will be their first home game, and second because they’ll be facing us.”

“After getting underway at home the other day, it’s going to be very important to keep growing away from home. We want to be competitive and show our best levels wherever we play. This is the third week since we came back now, but we’re eager for tomorrow’s game to come around.”

Mastantuono's debut
“He looked good. He had an impact and showed real energy. Whenever he’s in the squad, he’s in with a chance of playing, just like anyone else.”

Cazorla
“I haven’t spoken to him, as soon as the last game finished I started getting ready for tomorrow. I’ve been focused on us more than any social elements. I have wonderful memories of him, not just as a player but as a teammate. At Euro 2008, we had an incredible dressing room. He’s got a different role to play now but he’s so highly respected. In a football sense, he’s an exceptional player. I remember clearly the first impression we all had when he came in, he was amazing. I’m thrilled for him, for all he’s achieved, going back to where he grew up as a legend at Oviedo. I'll catch up with him tomorrow.”

Vini Jr.’s numbers
“As I said the other day, the context of the Club World Cup is a little different. As far as I'm concerned, . They will happen again in the future. We can't only think about nailed-on starters, nobody is going to play every single minute. There will be rotation, every player is going to get game time, everyone will have a role to play. Of course, the minutes will then be shared around more or less."

Chants for Mastantuono at the Bernabéu
"I focus on the player, and Franco looks good to me. He's training well and settling in nicely with his teammates. It feels like he's been here for longer than he has, and he's smiling a lot so I don't think he's too worried."

Mbappé's importance 
"I try and help him, get the team to help him, and ensure he helps the team win games, which means he has to feel content. This is about the team and Kylian is a key part of that, due to the weight and influence he exerts over the group. As things improve and pieces fall into place, he'll be a vital part of our season in terms of how we play as a team. We have fantastic players, but our strength lies in our efforts as a team."

His approach and systems 
"Of course we've discussed it. We talk a lot about how we play and how we can improve with the few games we've had so far. With the little information we've got, we have to analyse it, to see what we can do to get better. I think there are profiles of player to fit into the different systems, as long as we are clear in our ideas and know why we want to do things. We've already used a three at the back to see how that looked, and we're able to enjoy that flexibility because certain players have already played in other systems and understand them well."

Preparations compared to Barcelona
"I'm not at all concerned. I'm worried about our level and how we're playing. We're going to get better with each passing week, as we grow as a team, and that's all I'm focused on."