Pellegrini backs Xabi Alonso to weather the storm at Madrid: 'Absolutely prepared'
Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini offers insightful support for under-pressure Xabi Alonso ahead of Bernabéu clash, while addressing Isco's injury and transfer plans.
Veteran manager Manuel Pellegrini believes Xabi Alonso has all the tools needed to overcome the inevitable rough patches at Real Madrid, drawing on his own experience in the Bernabéu hot seat.
Backing for Xabi
Speaking ahead of Betis’ trip to face Real Madrid, Pellegrini reflected on his connection with the current Madrid boss, whom he brought to the club during his own tenure.
“I had the fortune of being the manager when we brought Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid,” Pellegrini noted, before expressing complete confidence in his former player’s ability to handle the pressure cooker environment.
The Chilean gaffer, who knows a thing or two about Madrid’s sky-high expectations, believes Alonso is “absolutely prepared and has the capacity to overcome difficult moments” that all teams face throughout a season.
Betis heading to the Bernabéu
Despite missing key players, Pellegrini’s squad will travel to Madrid with quiet confidence:
- Isco remains sidelined with a longer-term injury
- Several internationals are away at the Africa Cup of Nations
- Lo Celso and Fornals will need to step up in Isco’s absence
“The group returned very well, they’re highly motivated and have demanded a lot from themselves in training this week,” Pellegrini explained. “We’re going to a stadium that isn’t easy, against a great team, but we have the confidence to try and play our game.”
Transfer window caution
Pellegrini struck a pragmatic tone when discussing potential January business:
“One thing is bringing in a new name, another is bringing in reinforcement,” he said, acknowledging Betis’ financial constraints. “To bring in reinforcement, you need to pay the money that players of better quality than Betis currently has would cost.”
The manager emphasized that any additions would need to genuinely strengthen the squad rather than simply being names for the sake of it - similar to last year’s successful acquisitions of Antony and “El Cucho”.
Regarding Chimy Ávila, who has attracted interest from Getafe, Pellegrini confirmed: “I still consider him a squad player and he’s both on the list of called-up players and has the opportunity to play again.”
As Betis prepare for their first match of 2024, Pellegrini’s men will be hoping to start the new year with a bang against the Spanish giants.