‘The hours before were very productive’

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has suggested that the union between him and his players has grown closer after a dramatic 4-3 win over Olympiakos. It was Los Blancos first ever win in Greece, and Alonso was very much in need of the win to snap a three-game winless streak, but also ease talk of a broken dressing room.

Despite struggling to control the game throughout, and finding it impossible to shut down Olympiakos at the back, Alonso’s side did deliver their best offensive performance of the season. Mbappe’s four goals were the headline, but Vinicius Junior also showed his best form of the season.

“The hours beforehand have been very positive and productive; they have helped us to…