Xabi Alonso has explained why he didn’t take Spain’s penalty yesterday, why the team only drew and reflected on reasons for Real Madrid’s injury crisis.
The midfielder played in last night’s 1-1 draw with France at the Vicente Calderon and at a Press event today, was taken to task on what went wrong and specifically why he did not take the spot-kick that teammate Cesc Fabregas subsequently missed.
“We do not have a designated penalty taker. There were several of us yesterday and Cesc was confident. There was nothing strange in it,” began Alonso to the reporters today.
“I think last night saw a lack of control as a collective. We were more inaccurate than usual and when we lack that precision then what happens is what happened to us yesterday.
“The team broke and a goal was our punishment.”
The midfielder was asked of the difficult situation the international break has left Real Madrid in. Full-backs Marcelo, Fabio Coentrao and Alvaro Arbeloa all picked up injuries in the last few days.
“It is very bad. It is amazing that in just seven days three players have fallen. But surely the Coach is thinking through looking for solutions, looking to Saturday’s game and then the Champions League.
“It’s not my job to speculate on [possible solutions], I devote myself to playing and trying to support either one of the youth players who may be promoted, or another of my teammates. I am sure that the Coach is already working on it.
“Hopefully Higuain and Benzema’s were just knocks and that they can train today and are in perfect condition for Saturday.
“When you are at the highest level, it is true that the calendar is always loaded. We are at around 60 or 70 games a season and for the future it would be great to have a new calendar.”
