Interviews
MIÉ 22.10.2014
The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium will once again host one of the most exciting matches of the season. Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will lock horns on 25 October at 6 pm in a clash that will be watched all over the world. LFP.es spoke to the former Azulgrana player, Ángel Alonso, better known as 'Pichi Alonso', who explained the ins and outs of the Clásico.
LFP.es: FC Barcelona have started well in the Liga, breaking records with a perfect defensive record. Players like Leo Messi and Neymar are in fine form... Does Luis Enrique's team excite you?
Pichi Alonso: Yes, of course it does. The team came off the back of a difficult season. Perhaps they had achieved too much before and they lost their hunger to keep winning. It looked like the transition could have been tougher, but after just a few games Luis Enrique has once again instilled in them that intensity and pressing upfield.
LFP.es: What are the team's strengths and where can they improve?
Pichi Alonso: Clearly the style of play remains the same. For a long time FC Barcelona have set out to control matches, playing in a very clustered way and defending a long way out. They have regained that upfield pressure, pressing when the ball is lost, which is activated very quickly and that makes many opponents uncomfortable. They have also improved defensively, but even so they have weak points, like the goals that are scored against them from the set piece. It could be something to work on. They also have to find attacking mechanisms. Other teams tend to close up shop and leave the wings free, so the Azulgranas should make more use of that.
"The forwards' accuracy could be decisive, but they have to perform in midfield"
LFP.es: What do you think of Real Madrid?
Pichi Alonso: Real Madrid is a great team that continues to improve every day. With the departure of Xabi Alonso, perhaps they've lost some balance in midfield and it's a team that can be broken in the centre, though if they're inspired they can destroy any team in Europe. They did it last year against FC Bayern München and they can do it against anyone.
LFP.es: For many years, the battle between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona was played out in midfield, where the Azulgranas were slightly superior. Do you think the two sides' forwards are more important now?
Pichi Alonso: They are both a force up front; in fact Real Madrid is maybe most effective in that area, but I think the war will remain in the centre of the pitch. The forwards' accuracy could be decisive, but they have to perform in midfield and that is where I believe Barcelona are superior. Real Madrid are missing a player with the role that Xabi Alonso had, which is very important for the team.
LFP.es: Which attack impresses you most, FC Barcelona's (Leo Messi, Neymar...) or Real Madrid's (Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale...)?
Pichi Alonso: It's very even. Neymar, Messi and Luis Suárez, who could play because his suspension is over, are an attack that is difficult to find, they have great potential. Real Madrid have been playing Benzema, Cristiano and Bale and it is a team that can score against you at any moment. Their set pieces with Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Cristiano can also be very dangerous.
"Luis Suárez is one of the best strikers at the moment, but he needs that period of adaptation"
LFP.es: Luis Suárez could make his debut in the Clásico. Do you think Luis Enrique will have him in the starting eleven against Madrid?
Pichi Alonso: Luis Enrique will have to decide, but it would be pretty full-on if he started in such a big game when he has only played a couple of friendlies. But, obviously, Luis Suárez is one of the strikers in the world at the moment. There's no doubt about it, but he needs that period of adaptation, because training is not the same as going out on the field and playing.
LFP.es: Do you see Munir as Barcelona's breakthrough player this season?
Pichi Alonso: He is a player who has raised many expectations, especially in the coaching team who are very hopeful because they can see that he has huge potential. He has superb attributes. He has an eye for goal, he's a player who works hard for the team in defence. He works hard off the ball. That's good in a team in which most of the players want the ball at their feet.
"In my day, Real Madrid were the big club and beating the Whites was a huge source of satisfaction for the team and fans"
LFP.es: In the current Clásico, what remains of those Real Madrid-Barcelona matches of the 80s?
Pichi Alonso: Football has developed enormously. It's a different kettle of fish. In my time at FC Barcelona, Real Madrid were the big club, and beating the Whites was a huge source of satisfaction for the team and fans. In recent decades the Azulgranas have moved ahead of them in terms of titles, and perhaps the need to win to make their supporters happy is not quite so strong.
LFP.es: Do you remember any anecdotes from when you played in a Clásico?
Pichi Alonso: There are lots of anecdotes, but I remember when we were playing in the first or second fixture of the Liga at the Santiago Bernabéu and we won 0-3. The next week, there was a footballers' strike and the chairman at that time, José Luis Núñez, got us all together and told us that we didn't have to go on strike because it had been organised by Real Madrid because we had won and they wanted to divert attention from it.
LFP.es: Will you venture to predict a result?
Pichi Alonso: Any prediction will be wrong. Real Madrid could score 4 or FC Barcelona could win 0-3, for instance. One thing that is guaranteed is goals, because they're both teams more focussed on attack than defence.
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