Alonso calls for focus as Real prepare for Champions League game in Almaty

VIDEO SHOWS: REAL MADRID AND KAIRAT TRAINING SESSIONS AND PRESS CONFERENCES AHEAD OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SHOTLIST SHOWS: ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN (SEPTEMBER 29, 2025) (UEFA – See restrictions) 1. SPRINKLERS SPRAYING PITCH AT ALMATY CENTRAL STADIUM 2. AERIAL OF PITCH FROM BACK OF NETS 3. VARIOUS OF REAL MADRID PLAYERS ON THE PITCH 4. REAL MADRID HEAD COACH, XABI ALONSO, SEATED AT START OF PRESS CONFERENCE 5. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) REAL MADRID HEAD COACH, XABI ALONSO, SAYING: 6. ALONSO AT TRAINING 7. DEFENDER, ALVARO CARRERAS, TALKING TO MIDFIELDER, JUDE BELLINGHAM 8. PLAYERS JOGGING AS SEEN THROUGH NET 9. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) REAL MADRID HEAD COACH, XABI ALONSO, SAYING: 10. FORWARD, KYLIAN MBAPPE, AND MIDFIELDER, EDUARDO CAMAVINGA, AMONG PLAYERS JOGGING AND WALKING DURING WARM-UPS 11. MBAPPE WALKING 12. DEFENDER, RAUL ASENCIO, PASSING TO FORWARD, VINICIUS JUNIOR 13. VARIOUS OF VINICIUS 14. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) REAL MADRID HEAD COACH, XABI ALONSO, SAYING: 15. ALONSO LEAVING PRESS CONFERENCE 16. BELLINGHAM PASSING FOOTBALL 17. FOOTBALLS 18. WIDE OF TRAINING 19. MBAPPE 20. GOALKEEPER, THIBAUT COURTOIS 21. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) REAL MADRID MIDFIELDER, FEDERICO VALVERDE, SAYING: 22. KAIRAT MIDFIELDER, OFRI ARAD, AND FORWARD, DASTAN SATPAEV, WALKING OUT FOR TRAINING 23. MORE PLAYERS WALKING OUT FOR TRAINING 24. VARIOUS OF PLAYERS PASSING BALL AROUND IN A CIRCLE 25. HEAD COACH, RAFAEL URAZBAKHTIN, ADDRESSING PLAYERS IN HUDDLE 26. SATPAEV IN HUDDLE 27. HUDDLE BREAKING UP 28. URAZBAKHTIN AND DEFENDER, YEGOR SOROKIN, ENTERING PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM 29. URAZBAKHTIN AND SOROKIN SEATED 30. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RAFAEL URAZBAKHTIN, KAIRAT HEAD COACH, SAYING: "Of course, this game is historic for all of us, for the whole of Kazakhstan, for our club, for us coaches and for the players. This game is probably beyond the ordinary game. And of course we are all looking forward to tomorrow's game." 31. MIDFIELDER, VALERIY GROMYKO, WARMING UP 32. PLAYERS WARMING UP 33. MIDFIELDERS, GIORGI ZARIA AND, DAN GLAZER, AND DEFENDER, ALEKSANDR SHIROBOKOV AMONG PLAYERS WARMING UP 34. URAZBAKHTIN LAUGHING WITH ASSISTANT 35. URAZBAKHTIN AND SOROKIN DURING PRESS CONFERENCE 36. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RAFAEL URAZBAKHTIN, KAIRAT HEAD COACH, SAYING: "This (Real Madrid) is a high-level competitor. We understand it will be difficult for us (to win). But we will try to use what (Real's weak points) we have seen. We believe they have some moments (weak points) that we will try to utilise in tomorrow's game." 37. PLAYERS WARMING UP 38. PLAYERS STRETCHING 39. VARIOUS OF GOALKEEPER, SHERHAN KALMURZA, TRAINING   STORY: Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso urged his side to shift focus to their Champions League campaign as they prepare to face debutants Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan on Tuesday (September 30), days after a humbling 5-2 defeat by Atletico Madrid in LaLiga. Alonso found himself fielding questions in what may be the most remote press conference in Champions League history on Monday in Almaty – 6,441 kilometres from Madrid and the easternmost city ever to host a game in the competition. The Real Madrid coach faced a room packed with local media seizing the unique opportunity to host the record 15-times European Cup winners. Saturday's loss at the Metropolitano was Real's first defeat to their city rivals since January 2024 and the first time they had conceded five goals to Atletico in 75 years. Alonso called for lessons to be learned but stressed the importance of moving forward. "I think that both in victory and defeat, the feeling should last 24 hours. Then comes the analysis," Alonso told reporters. "It wasn't just about attitude; it was also pace, tactics – things about the game. We've done the analysis and we're going to use it." Real Madrid began their European campaign with a 2-1 home win over Olympique de Marseille two weeks ago. Alonso emphasised the need to secure points on the road, regardless of the opponent or location. "The match is just another match, it's not an excuse," he said of the long journey to Kazakhstan. "It doesn't matter who the opponent is or where we're playing – we want to win." The manager dismissed concerns about a lack of communication in the dressing room, describing his squad as a work in progress. "Sometimes, to take a step forward, you have to take two steps back," he said. "It hurts, but we're already in Champions League mode." Alonso remains optimistic about his team’s ability to bounce back. "We weren’t at our best. It’s part of the learning process. It has hurt, but we’re thinking about what to do tomorrow. We don’t want to drop points," he said. Real Madrid’s packed schedule and the long-distance travel to Almaty will test their adaptability. "The smartest person is the one who adapts best. Getting off to a good start is important, and we want to pick up points away from home."  (Production: Evgeniy Matveev, Conal Quinn)

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