The Champions League will return to the Santiago Bernabeu on September 16 and with it will come the first real European test for Xabi Alonso as head coach of Real Madrid.
Los Blancos have been rampant in La Liga with four straight wins and are sitting pretty at the top of points table with 12 points, two clear of arch-rivals Barcelona.
Xabi Alonso spoke ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League opener against Marseille in his first European assignment, where he discussed Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo,
Mbappe has already scored four goals in four LaLiga matches, a start that silenced doubts after he missed three Club World Cup group matches with gastroenteritis earlier this year.
Speaking on the eve of the Marseille clash, Alonso recalled those difficult early weeks.
“The World Cup was light for Kylian because of his gastroenteritis. We were just getting to know each other,” he said
“Kylian really likes to understand things, the game. Then he offers that individual quality.”
For Alonso, however, the story does not end with Mbappe. Vinicius Junior has returned sharp, adding two goals and an assist in four league games.
Rodrygo has seen limited action this season with just two La Liga appearances, yet the Real Madrid manager mention the star’s name which clearly states his importance to Los Blancos.
However, the Spanish tactician was careful to maintain perspective and called for complete team performance.
🗣 Xabi Alonso: "The World Cup was light for Kylian because of his gastroenteritis. We were just getting to know each other. Kylian really likes to understand things, the game. Then he offers that individual quality. But it's not just Kylian, Vini, or Rodrygo; we need that… pic.twitter.com/2CIfl7JEpG
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) September 15, 2025
“But it’s not just Kylian, Vini, or Rodrygo; we need that collective quality for them to do those different things. I have no merit in that.”
This will be the fifth encounter between Real Madrid and Marseille with Los Blancos maintaining a perfect record against the French side.
The clubs last met on September 16, 2023, when the 15-time Champions League winners secured 4-2 victory over the 1993 European champions.