Alonso calls for support for Mbappe as Elche looms
Xabi Alonso says Real Madrid cannot afford to put all the goalscoring responsibility on Kylian Mbappe, as it prepares to visit Elche.
Madrid went into the international break three points clear of Barcelona at the top of LaLiga, but was held to a goalless draw by Rayo Vallecano last time out.
Barcelona's 4-0 thrashing of Athletic Club has put the Blaugrana back on top of the pile, and after Los Blancos were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League, criticism of their attacking play has been coming in.
Madrid has scored 26 goals in LaLiga this season, 10 fewer than Barca, and half of those have come via Mbappe, whose tally stands at 13.
Only Erling Haaland, with 14 Premier League goals, has outscored the Frenchman in one of Europe's top five divisions this season.
Mbappe is expected to be fit for Monday's (AEDT) game after missing France's 3-1 win over Azerbaijan in FIFA World Cup qualifying with a minor ankle injury.
Alonso said: "After every match, we analyse it. We didn't manage to score against Liverpool or Vallecano.
"It's not just down to Mbappe, it's down to the team. When we don't score, we have to look for alternatives that don't just involve the striker.
"That could be the wingers from the second line or from set-pieces. The goals will come, I have no doubt about that."
Alonso was also asked about Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has only made five appearances, two of them starts, in LaLiga since arriving from Liverpool on a free transfer.
The former Bayer Leverkusen coach said the two-week break had given Alexander-Arnold a chance to build his fitness but noted there were several other players competing to start at right-back.
"We've used this break with Trent to train more and get him back to full fitness after his injuries," Alonso said.
"[Federico] Valverde can still play there, but having Trent in better shape gives us more options in that position.
"It's not just him, there are other options, such as Eder Militao, who played there the other day with his national team, or Raul Asencio."
Madrid's opponent Elche is 11th on the table with 15 points from 12 matches, having drawn 1-1 with Real Sociedad prior to the break.
