Real Madrid Xabi Alonso has said he was very happy to be back playing again, and thanked the Bernabeu crowd for the good reception he received in the 7-3 win over Sevilla on Wednesday.
Alonso came on as a 63rd minute substitute for Asier Illarramendi and was warmly welcomed by the Los Blancos crowd as he made his comeback after five months on the sidelines with groin and foot injuries, and the Basque midfielder was obviously thrilled.
He said: “I am grateful for the affection and respect from the crowd. I’m very happy, I have no problems and I hope to slowly get there to be able to help the team. I feel like the team is taking shape but there are still things to polish. By reinforcing what we do well and correcting what we can do better we hope to go as far as we want to”
Alonso was also full of praise for record signing Gareth Bale, who scored twice and got two assists, saying “He needs a period of adjustment to La Liga because it is very different to the Premier League. His quality can be seen and when he settles with the team he will improve more”
