Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso is keen to strike up a partnership with Nuri Sahin, who is back to fitness following a knee injury.
Sahin joined the Spanish giants in the summer from Borussia Dortmund for 10 million euros, but has yet to feature for the club due to his injury woes.
The Turkish international could make his eagerly-awaited debut against Real Betis next weekend, something Xabi Alonso is excited about.
“He has good attributes, a great left foot and he plays his football fast,” Xabi Alonso said.
“He also has a great attitude, you can see he wants to integrate and wants to succeed. I’m waiting to play with him because he looks very good,” the former Liverpool man told Radio Marca.
Xabi Alonso then turned his attentions to the club’s fierce rivals, Barcelona, claiming Madrid are now equal with the Catalan giants.
“In direct confrontations, we have been very close. Let’s see if in the table we can get above them. In the Supercup, we were at the same level without doubt,” he added.
“In the first leg at home we were even the better side. Barca are a very good side and they have Messi. The key is to keep improving and not to become obsessed.”
The 29-year-old was in action for Spain on Friday, scoring in the 2-0 away win against the Czech Republic.
