Xabi calls on Vini, Mbappé to 'improve' off the ball

Xabi Alonso called connected Real Madrid stars similar Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé to "improve" their off-the-ball work-rate up of the team's last Club World Cup radical crippled with Salzburg.

Madrid person picked up 4 points from 2 games truthful acold -- drafting 1-1 with Al Hilal and beating Pachuca 3-1 -- to enactment themselves successful a beardown presumption to progresss to the circular of 16 up of their lucifer with Salzburg connected Thursday astatine Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.

Vinícius and Mbappé faced immoderate disapproval past play nether Alonso's predecessor, Carlo Ancelotti, for their efforts erstwhile retired of possession.

"We each person to defend, the 11 players connected the tract person to beryllium involved," Alonso said successful a quality league connected Wednesday. "They person to spot however we privation to press, we're each progressive -- Vini, Jude [Bellingham], Fede [Valverde], Kylian.

"The defence has to propulsion up, the tighter we are with the spaces [between us] the better. We person to amended that. We're moving connected it, and Vini too."

Alonso praised the level of contention astatine the tourney truthful far, which has seen South American teams vie good against European opposition.

"It's bully for European shot to spot the level of contention outside," Alonso said. "You spot teams that you don't spot arsenic often, who are precise good, astatine a bully level. River [Plate], we'll spot them against Inter [on Wednesday], the Brazilians too. At the commencement [of the tournament] we each looked astatine the European teams, but I deliberation this is bully for shot successful general."

If Real Madrid apical Group H, they could look Manchester City -- who they met successful past season's Champions League -- successful the knockout phase, but Alonso denied that his squad would instrumentality that into relationship against Salzburg.

"It isn't a bully thought to deliberation astir not winning," Alonso said. "That isn't a bully connection for anyone, mounting an nonsubjective that isn't clear. Obviously I'm not blind, I've seen the draw, but we'll play to win."

Forward Rodrygo was an unused substitute against Pachuca, fueling speculation astir his future, but Alonso said he's been blessed with the Brazil international's attitude.

"He looks good, enthusiastic," Alonso said. "The different time [against Pachuca] was a method determination but he's inactive important, he's a peculiar player. I deliberation he'll play an important portion astatine the Club World Cup."