Pakistan, Oct. 5 -- MADRID - Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso maintained his composure on Friday as he faced the media ahead of his team's LaLiga clash with Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu, their first league outing since suffering a bruising 5-2 derby defeat to Atletico Madrid last weekend.

The buildup to the match has been overshadowed by reports of unrest involving midfielder Federico Valverde, who was benched in Tuesday's 5-0 Champions League win over Kairat Almaty. Spanish media claimed Valverde had refused to play as a right fullback - an allegation he publicly denied.

Taking to social media, the Uruguayan reaffirmed his loyalty to the club, writing that he had "always told the coach I'm available to play anywhere."

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