Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso appeared at a press conference after the 2-1 victory over Deportivo Alavés in the sixteenth round of the Spanish league at Mendizorrotza Stadium.

The coach said: "It was a competitive match. We started very well and took the lead, but then we lost control, which prevented us from finishing the first half well. We also started the second half well and created chances, but we conceded a goal from the only opportunity where Valdepeñas made a mistake, because he was very good with the other balls and delivered a great performance. Carlos Vicente took advantage of that after a wonderful pass. Despite this, the team kept fighting and faced the match bravely in a difficult stadium against a very intense opponent. The second goal gave us the three points and we leave here very happy."

He added about the Vinicius penalty incident that the referee did not award: "I will talk about the incident, not the referee. For me, it was a clear penalty. Vinicius was very fast, there was contact... and it surprises me a lot that they didn't even go to VAR, yet this does not surprise us. We have to keep going."

He continued: "In the VAR room was González Fuertes, the referee who threatened Real Madrid in the cup final... Is that surprising? You said it. Let's leave it at that."

He added: "Clearly, the Celta Vigo match was not good, and we missed many things there, but today there were positive aspects. Things we definitely need in every match, and others we must improve to win and keep winning. We need consistency and stability; this is La Liga. If this helps us learn, we must not forget it."

He continued: "We focus a lot on our work. We are very cohesive and preparing for a match every three days. Today I appreciate this win very much because we came with many absences and suspended players. As I said, Valdepeñas played his first match, and I congratulate him not only on his debut but on his performance. He was steady and competed well. A debut with Real Madrid is always a special day. We are all together in this. Winning one match is not enough; now we have a cup match, then a home match against Sevilla. The road is still long, and this was an important moment, but we must continue the good things we showed today."

He added: "We are all together at this stage, in good times and bad. Today the team competed very well despite the circumstances. Unity is essential and the only way to achieve the daily toughness that gives us the improvement we want."

Regarding the team's decline after a strong start in the first 20 minutes: "No, I do not agree with this opinion. Every match was different. For me, the matches against Celta, Manchester City, and today were three different matches with different circumstances and developments. During the season, there were matches where we failed to maintain consistency, but not in these last three matches."

He noted: "How did you experience the seven minutes between the equalizer (1-1) and the winning goal (1-2)? Like the seven minutes that followed. I tried to stay connected to the match, think about how to help the players, and make the necessary decisions. We had to make some tactical or individual adjustments, but I did not experience it differently from other periods."

He concluded: "We played today in a very difficult stadium, and Alavés plays at a high pace and intensity. We have watched many of their matches, and winning here was tough. Of course, we want greater continuity, but it is hard to control 90 minutes in every match. Today we came to win, and the most important thing was the three points, which we got. Now we think about the cup."