Dani Carvajal on Xabi Alonso replacing Carlo Ancelotti and Rodri joining – ‘It was time for a change’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal has opened up on the current state of affairs at the club, following a promising opening to the season. Los Blancos have taken three wins from three games thus far.

Carvajal returned from injury this summer after missing the majority of last season, and was back starting in just their second game. He was pleased with their start to the season, as he told Cadena Cope.

“These first three games, these three clean weeks, have been our preseason. The goal was to win all three, and we’ve achieved that. I think I’m left with the belief that we still have a lot of room for improvement. I think we’re taking in a lot of concepts from the coach and putting them into practice. We’re taking onboard a lot of ideas that he wants to implement, and also when you win, everything seems much more beautiful.”

Image via Getty Images

“We are left with having taken nine out of nine, and now that the Champions League is back, the league games are back in the week, a game every so often. Well, we have to be prepared, and we have a month now, a block, as the coach calls it, between breaks, in which we’ll try to get as many points as possible.”

Transition from Carlo Ancelotti to Xabi Alonso

Meanwhile Carvajal voiced the idea that previous manager Carlo Ancelotti had reached the end of his cycle at the club.

“Ancelotti is a legend at Madrid, and he will always be one for the rest of its history, but I think we needed a change. I think the manager saw it too. In the end, we’d been with him for many years. Often, that change is needed to change everyone’s mindset. People who perhaps weren’t so connected connect, to wake everyone up a bit, and I think it’s been good for everyone.”

On the differences between Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso, Carvajal noted that Alonso is much more likely to adapt his game plan to his opponents.

Image via Cordon Press

“In the end, each coach has his own methodology, as you say, they’re different generations. It’s true that, for example, with Carletto, we had much more freedom in that sense of, well, you came out a little later, although he got angry with us. Xabi is a little more upfront, with more discipline, but well, each has their own ideas. Football was invented many years ago, so each one takes the concepts that each one believes are best.”

“The coach has his ideas too. I think he adapts his game a bit to the opponent, to the players we have, which I think is good. He makes match plans, depending on the opponent, depending on which starting 11 you want to use, he looks for one alternative or another, and I think they prepare well for matches.”

‘Xabi Alonso spoke to Dani Ceballos and he stayed’ – Carvajal

For Real Madrid, the end of transfer window saga was focused on Dani Ceballos, who looked as if he were on his way out of the club.

“I have a lot of trust in him, and you should ask him that question. It seemed like he was going to Marseille; they were talking, but in the end, the deal fell through. I think the manager also spoke to him and told him to stay, that he would count on him, that in the end, the season is very long, and Dani also gives us something different there in midfield.”

Image via Getty Images Sport

“He’s a player who likes to have the ball, who gives pause, he’s a player you give it to and he doesn’t lose it; he gives us a different option in midfield who knows he’s unique in that sense.”

Carvajal understands signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold

Meanwhile Carvajal is dealing with increased competition in his position following the arrival of Trent Alexander-Arnold. A signing that the veteran understood.

“I find it completely understandable. In the end, you put it on the table, Carvajal, well, 32 years old, seriously injured… I’m the opposite. I’m grateful that they renewed my contract the next day, they are trusting me for this season, and it’s normal. I’m not going to be here playing my whole life. In the end, the years go by.”

He also praised Real Madrid’s contract approach with their veteran players.

Image via Getty Images

“My contract is up, yes. The club’s policy is to renew year after year once you turn thirty or so. I think it’s a good thing; it’s a club policy that I don’t think is bad. I think players who reach that age or so have already been at the club for a while, and I think the trust is high, and your performance is valued.”

‘I hope Rodri can be with us in the future’ – Carvajal

If there was one position Real Madrid were consistently linked with over the course of the summer, it was a player in Ceballos’ position. In particular, it was said that Spain teammate Rodri Hernandez was on their agenda.

“I’ve already started putting out the bait. I hope he can be with us at the club in the future because he’s a great player, but for now, I understand that he’s just coming off a long-term injury and that he wants to repay the trust they’ve placed in the club.”

Alonso was reportedly in favour of the club bringing in an extra midfielder, and thus opposed the idea of letting Ceballos go. Once Rodri has recovered fully from his own cruciate ligament injury, and with a contract running until 2027, many suspect that Real Madrid could move for the Manchester City man in 2026.