"Of course I want to play in midfield, but the important thing is to help the team"

Aurelien Tchouameni has been adapting to the centre-back position for years. Carlo Ancelotti, his former coach, often required him in this role due to the injuries he has suffered throughout his time at Real Madrid, especially the most recent one. Now that the Frenchman is working under Xabi Alonso's tactics, he remains willing to continue in this way, although, in the lead-up to the match against Pachuca for the Club World Cup, he acknowledged that he prefers the middle of the pitch.

"I felt good as a centre-back against Al Hilal. I've played many matches in defence. Now, I think I know how to play a little better in this position. Of course I want to play in midfield, but sometimes the coach asks me to play there. The most important thing is to help the team and I do that. Any advice for Mastantuono at Madrid? That he enjoys it. It is a pleasure to play here every day. There are many people who want to play for Real Madrid," he said.

He also offered some self-criticism: "We know that we can do much better than against Al-Hilal, but it's only been a week since we've all been together. We are sure that we are going to improve every day and we are going to see it tomorrow. The coach works a lot with us in training. There is a lot of dynamism and intensity. We work hard and we are left with that," he claimed.

Asked about Kylian Mbappe, he replied: "He has had difficult days, but we are very eager to see him again. He is an incredible player." Asked for an analysis of Pachuca, he replied: "We have played against them this year. We know that if they are here, it is because they play well. We have to give a lot of commitment and play at our level to win this match. We have seen video about them and, tomorrow, again to prepare the match."