Real Madrid face Red Bull Salzburg in their final group game of the inaugural Club World Cup on Thursday, and a win would take them to the top of the standings.
That is what they want, and Xabi Alonso made that clear in his press conference earlier on Wednesday.
Real Madrid have had a few players that have risen to the occasion of the Club World Cup, as well as a few bad performers.
Alonso, in his pre-match press conference, was asked about one of the standouts, Dean Huijsen.
He not only threw heaps of praise towards him, but also issued the young defender a challenge.
Xabi Alonso wants to keep pushing this Real Madrid squad
Alonso said: "He’s another pillar of the team. He demonstrated his personality with the national team and with us in just two days. He makes himself loved and respected.
"He’s a great signing. We have to support him and push him; he has room for improvement, so he can’t relax. But I’m happy with him.”
He has room for improvement, so he cannot relax. That is the ultimate definition of a manager who wants a lot from his players.
It is clear that Alonso respects and admires Huijsen, but he wants to keep pushing him to his limit and help him improve as a football player.
Huijsen has been a brilliant edition to Real Madrid's roster in this competition, and it seems like the club have hit the jackpot in the transfer window with his signing.
However, Alonso wants him to not get ahead of himself, and keep pushing and improving every passing game. To be fair, that is what is happening as well. Huijsen was great in the first game, but he was somehow even better in the second one.
If the Spanish international stays on that upwards trajectory, there is not a lot he could achieve with this team.