Real meet Marseille on the back of a scratchy win at Real Sociedad on Saturday.
However, Xabi is upbeat regarding the form of his players going into the clash.
-How do you approach this match?
"We're starting off with the utmost excitement of playing in the Champions League with Madrid. It's even more special for this club, and being at the Bernabéu is even more motivating. People are eager to take steps forward and continue growing. We have a tough opponent, and we hope to start well."
-In San Sebastián, you were seen saying, "Don't make me think badly of you" to the referee...
"We spoke with tension in our bodies. I already said what I thought in the press conference, and we left it at that. It's time to look ahead to the Champions League."
-But do you think people can think badly about the payments to Negreira?
"I don't want the refereeing issue to be a one-track mind. Let's think about tomorrow. The Anoeta incident has been discussed enough."
In February, Ancelotti said he felt “more comfortable with European refereeing” than with Spanish refereeing. Which one do you feel more comfortable with?
"I feel equally at ease with both of them. I'm not worried about tomorrow's game or the next league match."
-And what do you think of the dossier that will be submitted to FIFA ?
"It's legitimate to defend our interests. As long as the club does it, it's fine."
-How did you feel about having to take the anti-doping tests today ?
"We do not have control. Training has been delayed, but that's it. We do not have control.
−How is Vinicius handling his current role? What dialogue have you had with him?
"Yes, we've talked, but like I talk to many. Given the context of the game, after a great performance from him, I think he came off in the 70th minute, and it wasn't the best time to play offensively. He sacrificed himself, and it was a team victory. He's in good energy to start tomorrow."
−Dani Carvajal won with you and now has six Champions League titles. How has he changed since you met him and after the injury?
"There's one aspect that hasn't changed, and that's the competitive gene he has. He came here in 2013-14 and already had it. Since he arrived from Leverkusen, he's been so important; he gave us so much, and we won the Champions League. That hasn't changed. But his influence, his maturity, being the captain, the respect he has, and his responsibility to the group have evolved.
"Now that he's fit and well enough to play, he has a very important positive influence on the rest. These leaders who need to flourish are fundamental. We need this powerful core to pull the rest of the squad forward. Carva has been embracing that. He saw others through, and now it's his turn."
-Did you expect this level from Kylian Mbappé?
"The World Cup was easy for Kylian because of his gastroenteritis. We were just getting to know each other. Kylian really likes to understand things, the game. Then he brings that individual quality. But it's not just Kylian, Vini, or Rodrygo; we need that collective quality for them to do those different things. I have no credit for that."
-Do you see him as a leader within the group?
"No doubt. By personality, experience... He's one of them. When that group consolidates, he already knows who to follow. Kylian is one of them."
-Do you see Mbappé eager to win his first Champions League?
"Not anxious. We see a project that's just starting. One of the goals is to win the Champions League sooner rather than later. Kylian is part of the journey, but I don't see him as anxious. Today we talked about what the Champions League means, but we didn't talk about May, we talked about today."
You left in 2014 and extended your career for three more years, laying the seed for the club's best era. Do you think you left too soon?
"No, no, it was five very intense years. It was a tough job for us to win that Champions League. We finished in three semi-finals before winning the Décima. Many of us learned that to win, you have to lose, and sometimes quite a lot. Then came the Zizou years , which were incredible. There are few who were at that stage. That's historic and unique. If I hadn't won it, I wouldn't have left peacefully."
−Being the most successful club in Europe... does it help or add pressure?
"It's a fact, an honor, a motivation, and a responsibility you enjoy."