Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso appeared at a press conference to talk about tomorrow's match against Marseille in the first round of the Champions League group stage at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

The coach said: "We approach this match with the utmost enthusiasm that comes with playing in the Champions League with Real Madrid. It’s a special tournament for this team, and playing at the Bernabeu, with its rich history, motivates me even more. People are excited to move forward, continue to develop, and play against a strong and high-level opponent. We hope to start well."

He added: "Vinicius Junior? I spoke with him, and he performed wonderfully in the absence of one player on Saturday. It wasn't the best time for an attacking player, but he sacrificed himself. It was a win for the team. I saw him performing well, and he has a positive energy for tomorrow."

Regarding Dani Carvajal: "His competitive spirit has not changed. He had it in the 2013/2014 season, and in his first season, he gave us a lot, and we won the Champions League. His personality, weight, maturity, respect from his teammates, and responsibility towards the team have changed. Now that he is fit enough to play, you can see his significant positive impact on the rest of the team, and those leaders in the locker room are essential. He is one of them, and they need to bring the rest of the players together. He has embraced this spirit over time."

He continued about Kylian Mbappe's brilliance: "I was optimistic about my ability to communicate, and after the World Cup, when he suffered from acute intestinal inflammation, I saw that he is a player who loves football and understands things. We need him, and we also need quality both on and off the ball for him to make a difference with his quality."

Regarding his conversation with referee Gil Manzano in the Real Madrid vs. Sociedad match: "We spoke tensely. I previously mentioned my opinion in the press conference, and that’s where it ended. It’s time to look forward to the Champions League; I don’t want the issue of refereeing to be a standalone topic. Let’s think about tomorrow. The Anueta incident has been discussed enough."

Regarding the players undergoing doping tests today: "We are not in control of it; the training schedule was postponed today, and that’s all. We are not in control of it."

About Ancelotti's previous comments that he feels more comfortable with European refereeing: "I’m not worried about tomorrow's match or the next match in La Liga."

On whether his departure from Real Madrid was early: "No, no, it was a busy five years. Winning the Champions League was extremely difficult for us. We reached the semifinals three times before winning the tenth; many of us learned that winning requires losing, and sometimes big losses. Then came the years of Zidane, which were wonderful. Few were there at that moment. It’s a historic and unique moment. If I hadn’t won the tenth, I wouldn’t have left in peace."

On whether Mbappe has become a leader: "Yes, without a doubt; with his personality and experience, he is one of them. When this group is cohesive, you know whom to follow. Kylian is one of them."

Regarding the club filing a complaint with FIFA over refereeing errors against the team: "It is legitimate to defend our interests. As long as the club is doing that, it’s fine."

He noted: "Is Mbappe excited to win the Champions League? I don’t see him worried. We all feel that this is a project in its infancy. Within the project of being in Madrid, one of our goals is to win the Champions League. We hope that it will be sooner rather than later and that we are on the right track to achieve it. Kylian is part of this. We talked today about the significance of the Champions League, but we didn’t talk about May, but about the upcoming dates."

He concluded: "Is there pressure to win titles? Yes, it’s a reality. There’s no doubt about that. It’s an honor, a motivation, and a responsibility that we live and enjoy. When you come and wear the team’s jersey, or when you train here, that’s the goal. It’s an honor."