Real Madrid coach praises F1 driver Alonso

Madrid, Nov 23 (IANS) Real Madrid's Argentine coach Santiago Solari on Friday praised Spanish Formula 1 (F1) driver Fernando Alonso, who is to retire from after the upcoming season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.During a press conference ahead of the Eibar-Real Madrid La Liga match, Solari said two-time F1 champion Alonso was a legendary member of the Spanish sports elite, akin to tennis great Rafael Nadal and basketball superstar Pau Gasol, reports Efe news."Alonso is like Rafa Nadal (and) Pau Gasol," Solari said, adding that "the ability of this country (Spain) to produce great sports talent (is seen) in many fields; individually as motorsports or collectively such as in basketball."La Liga's 13th-placed Eibar is set to host sixth-placed Real Madrid at Ipurua Municipal Stadium in Eibar on Saturday.
--IANS kk/vm