Alonso ready for new season

Posted Sunday, August 12, 2012 by ESPN

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso stated that the club's unbeaten pre-season campaign has made the side confident for the new La Liga season.

The Madridistas in the United States were treated to four friendlies with the highlight being a match-up between Serie A giants AC Milan and the La Liga champions. Los Blancos comfortably won that match as well as their most recent friendly against Celtic on Saturday.

Real broke several records last season and collected 100 points over the course of the past campaign. They are fully expected to impress once again in the new season and Alonso believes that the side's successful American tour has primed them with the right mentality for a solid start in the new season.

"We always want to win, but the aim of this preparation was to get into a good space and we've achieved this. In addition, the results have been very good. We're ready for the start of the season and we want to do it in the best possible way," he told the club website.

"There's a little way to go, but the base is there and the pieces have come together. It's been a short pre-season because we haven't had much time and now we're heading off with the national team and we'll be away for a few days, but we're used to it. It isn't anything new and we hope to start the year well. Many things are already prepared and it's a step forward".

"It's a good sign because we have a good foundation and everything that comes after will be improvements. What's important is that everything that is in the squad right now will serve for what we face during the season."

Real will play Barcelona in the Super Cup with the first match of the two-legged tie slated to take place on August 23. Alonso warned his side that despite the good results achieved in their pre-season campaign, they should continue to train hard in order to be mentally and physically prepared to repeat last season's success over their arch-rivals in the season opener.

"We have to be ready because they are matches that require you to give 100% and we have to be in peak form right from the start.

"We can't think that it's going to be easy. They are both important matches.

"We know that all Liga matches are very important and the first more so. In addition, the Spanish Super Cup is the first title and we want to win it.

"We prioritise both. Neither is more important than the other.

"The Spanish Super Cup is important because you're playing for a title, but I don't think it offers any advantage for the future."

Real begin their title defence with a match against third-placed Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu on August 19.