Alonso: For today the starting lineup worked, we have to learn from the defeat

November 5th: In this round of the Champions League, Real Madrid lost 0-1 to Liverpool. After the game, Real Madrid coach Alonso attended the press conference.

How to explain this defeat? Is it a lack of intensity? Is Liverpool better in physical confrontation?

"We didn't feel that way. The game was very demanding and the pace was fast. Maybe we just lacked a little bit of the ability to create a threat in the final third. In the second half it was a matter of details and we started to give away some fouls. Courtois kept working hard and that goal gave them the advantage and then we had some difficulties. There's nothing to blame on the team. We can earn these points back."

How is Alexander-Arnold and the reaction he got from the fans doing?

"This is not a particularly fierce and personal confrontation, it is a typical situation when two top teams clash at Anfield. Alexander-Arnold is trying to show his ability, his threat on the right."

This is the starting eleven in the El Clasico against Barcelona. Is this a regular starter for you?

"These are decisions we made based on the situation, and the players who are in good form. It's only November now. We will face a very demanding period. For today, this lineup is effective. There are some aspects we did well today, and some aspects need improvement."

Do you feel that the team is on an emotional and state roller coaster?

"I don't think we have had ups and downs. We didn't play well that day when we lost to Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano, but we have to maintain the stability of our performance, our philosophy and our demands. We don't want to live in ups and downs, because that gives you unstable pressure. Today was just a defeat in a close and competitive game, and we have to learn from it."

In the final stages of the game, what did you notice the team lacked, and what did it have to keep the forwards on the field and maintain an offensive threat?

"We failed to break through the last line of defense to create a clear scoring opportunity in the penalty area. Valverde was a little unwell, so we replaced him. We sent Alexander-Arnold and Rodrigo in the hope of maintaining a threat. We tried other combinations. In general, today we were still a little short of the fire, and the details also went to their side."

It feels like Courtois prevented Real Madrid from suffering a more painful defeat. Are you worried?

"For me, the most worrying thing is that we have to learn. In those moments when the other team is putting pressure on us, we have to stand up and not give them those free kicks and corner kicks. It's a very intense game."

How do you analyze the performance of the midfielder in terms of organizing the ball?

"We wanted to keep the midfielders closer and find a freer spot to receive the ball. Grerafenberch was very tight on Bellingham. We were getting better in the first half, but we still lacked the threat in the penalty area."

Is the right-wing position the position you are least sure about how to arrange?

"We have players who can play in different positions: Camavinga, Guler, Valverde, etc. Depending on the game, the player's condition, we have many options, and we can also use another type of player who is not a pure winger. These are the options we have in the lineup, and we have to evaluate them game by game."

How do you evaluate the team giving the opponent so many opportunities in set-piece defense at the beginning of the second half? This is how we conceded the ball

"That period was the period when we were under the most pressure and gave them those opportunities. I think these opportunities could have been avoided by our side. Their formation retreated very deep, and I wanted to raise the defense higher to press them. They retreated deeply because we committed too many fouls."