Xabi Alonso has reflected on Real Madrid’s confident mindset heading into the Copa del Rey Final against Atletico Madrid.
The Santiago Bernabeu plays host this Friday evening for the encounter between the Spanish capital’s two biggest clubs, with Los Blancos’ midfielder eagerly anticipating the test.
“It’s a long road to get here, with difficult moments and you know that a small detail can leave you out of the competition,” commented Alonso in an interview with Madrid’s official website published today.
“And we’re where we wanted to be, in the final. It should be a very exciting match. It’s a derby against Atletico, in the same city and in our stadium, but it will be different from the games that we usually play at home.
“All the ingredients are there to make it a great night and we hope that we end it feeling good, happy and with the title in our hands.
“The confidence is in the team. We’re in good form. It’s a final and, even though we couldn’t win La Liga or the Champions we want the Copa and all our ambition is focused on winning it. It’s 90 minutes a priori, though it can go longer. We’re going to give our all to win it.
“If we play a good match and are on form we’re going to have chances to win the match, but Atletico has a very competitive team that will face the match with the same determination as we do. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them and we can’t let them feel comfortable.”
The midfielder reflected on the hope that the Madrid fans can repeat the atmosphere that the team played in for their Champions League semi-final second leg against Borussia Dortmund.
“The crowd made it a great match that day because we noticed from the start how they believed in us and in the comeback.
“We were so close, which is why we were left with this feeling of sadness for making it so far but not being able to reach our goal in the end, which was to play in the final.
“We have the chance to redeem ourselves with this final and I’m sure that the fans are going to enjoy it.
“Despite playing in Madrid, the atmosphere and the lead-up to the Copa final is something to experience. I hope that it will be a good show.
“The divided stadium between the fans will be different. Unconsciously we’re going to think that we’re playing at home, but then the atmosphere is going to be different because the crowd will be split. We hope to enjoy it and that it won’t be a problem.”
