Alonso warned Mbappe and Vinicius: "Things will become complicated"

On Wednesday, Real Madrid's new head coach Xavi Alonso issued a warning to his star players, including Vinicius and Mbappe.

Real Madrid new coach Xavi Alonso warned his team's star players, including Vinicius and Killian Mbappe, that all of them must be actively involved in the defense. Last season, under former coach Ancelotti, the White Army failed to win any major trophy, and the Italian coach was often annoyed that the team's forward players were unwilling to invest enough defensive runs for the team's interests.

"What I can be sure of is that we need and want everyone to participate in the defense - the 11 players on the court must be put into the defense," Alonso said at a pre-Football press conference with Red Bull Salzburg.

"They have to maintain a compact formation and have to be clear about how we want to press. If we can't do this, things will become very tricky."

"Winnie, Jude (Berlingham), Feder (Valverde), Killian, these players in the front (to defend), our defense must also move forward."

Ancelotti said last season that he didn't care whether Mbappe was involved in pressing, and he hoped that the striker would focus on goals. The 26-year-old French superstar scored 43 goals for Real Madrid in his first season from Paris Saint-Germain.

Real Madrid will usher in the last group match against Austrian team Salzburg in Philadelphia this Thursday, hoping to lock in the top spot in the group. But in this game, Mbappe will continue to be absent.

The French superstar was not included in the roster for this game because he is still recovering from the troubles of gastrointestinal problems.

Mbappe has missed the team's first two group games, but he returned to the team's training this Wednesday.

"I'm very happy to see him return to the training ground," Alonso said. "This is the first day he has put on his sneakers and started running. He has recovered well, but it's not enough to get him to compete tomorrow's game at the level of competition we need."

"I talked to him after the training, and he himself said that he is more inclined to be fully prepared for the round of 16. He is still recovering and his form is not perfect for tomorrow's game."

In Real Madrid's 3-1 victory over Mexican team Pachuca, Brazilian striker Rodrigo was placed on the bench, which also sparked speculation that he might leave this summer.

However, Alonso said the Brazilian player remains a very valuable member of the team.

"He was in good shape and passionate. It was a pure technical decision to put him on the bench that day. But Rodrigo is still an important player and we will need him in this Club World Cup," Alonso said.

"He is a special player and he will play an important role in this event."