Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso appeared at a press conference to talk about today's match against Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup, at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.

The coach began his remarks about the death of Diogo Jota, the Liverpool star: "We extend our deepest condolences and embrace his family warmly. It was very sad news. We started our day with a feeling that drives us to reflect."

He then spoke about the match, saying: "After the Round of 16 against Juventus, we want to continue progressing, and now we are playing against a big European team that recently faced us in the Champions League final. It will be an exciting match, and we have to play at a high level. We are excited."

He added: "Mbappe is in better condition. He is recovering day by day, and we will decide tomorrow morning whether he will start or not. There are things we leave open until the last moment, and this is one of them. I would like the players to know these things before the press."

He continued: "I rely on Endrick, Gonzalo Garcia, and Mbappe. I am happy with Endrick who is recovering. We are not thinking about the team lineup; we focus on immediate performance. The World Cup, which is a hot competition, we have not discussed this topic yet. Gonzalo and Mbappe can play together. It depends on the moment and the need. They can complement each other; I cannot rule that out."

He added: "Playing with three defenders? Time is tight. Sticking to an idea and working on it has become somewhat limited. Tchouameni gives us the necessary diversity. We will not commit to just one style; we will see what Dortmund will offer tomorrow, and we have to adapt during the match. The players are the ones who make these adjustments on the field."

He followed: "Ancelotti bet on tearing up what I saw in training by having Valverde score 10 goals; will you do that? Ancelotti's career was so long that he could do that (laughs). I am at the beginning of my career; I cannot bet on that, but Fede will score many goals."

He continued: "I have seen a lot of Tchouameni; you can see that he has the ability to adapt and perform different roles. He has the intelligence necessary to grasp concepts. We need to find the right formation to be strong in midfield."

Regarding Guler losing duels due to his physical attributes: "Arda needs to anticipate more than react; this way, you can deal with duels better and not rely on physical strength. It is a phase he has to go through; we need to invest in him. He is performing well, and we continue to encourage him to gain experience and understand that he may make mistakes. It is part of his development. Arda has distinctive qualities; we must keep him close to the ball and create opportunities. He has great passes, and we play better with him. He is loved here and in Turkey, and expectations are high, but we have to help him grow."

About Rodrigo and Gonzalo Garcia: "I am sure that Rodrigo is capable of regaining his best form. I spoke with him, and he is in a positive mental state, excited, and ready when we need him. Gonzalo is doing very well and is making the most of the opportunity given to him. Regarding his goals, his work, but most importantly, the effort he puts in. We are happy with him."

About break times during matches: "When it is time for a break, we try to make the most of it. We think about improving performance without causing any disruption in some circumstances. I am not saying that I am against timeouts in football, but under normal circumstances, I am not sure if this is the best thing."

He continued about the Dortmund coach: "Niko Kovac has built a team that plays excellently. We know the danger of Giraud; he has had a great season with Dortmund. Adeyemi, Brandt... they are playing excellently. The decisive factor is what happens on the field, and we know Dortmund will be very tough."

He added: "This World Cup shows us the competitive level in other leagues. We Europeans are not familiar with it. This is good for football; in Europe, we think the Champions League is the only thing that matters, and that is not true."

About Mastantuno joining the team: "Mastantuno will join when he turns 18 (on August 14)."

He emphasized: "We need to start planning for the preparatory season; we will need rest, then a short training time, and a short time in Valdebebas. We will not hold a training camp abroad; it will be a short and unusual preparatory period, but we will face the season with pre-made decisions (referring to the future of some players)."

Regarding the condition of some players, he concluded: "Camavinga is in better condition, but it is too early to involve him tomorrow. Militao and Carvajal are training more with the team and are ready to play."