
Kylian Mbappé acknowledged Real Madrid played “very badly” in the build-up to the international break as he brushed off a question about the squad’s relationship with manager Xabi Alonso.
Late October brought a 2–1 victory over Barcelona which Madrid barely had the chance to celebrate. Winger Vinicius Junior’s public display of frustration towards being substituted by Alonso quickly soured the festivities as the new manager was forced to face questions about his relationship with the Brazil international.