Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa faced an intense press conference ahead of Friday’s fixture against Celta Vigo, where he was asked if defeat at Balaídos and against Manchester City would spell the end of any title hopes this season. “Well, but… we’re playing tomorrow, aren’t we? So let’s go into a very difficult match like that one, and let’s have the hope that we’re going to get those three points,” he responded, continuing, “we have 36 points left to play for and we’re four points behind, not 18. And that’s all we have to think about; we don’t want to get into situations that haven’t happened yet. And whatever happens, this is Real Madrid and therefore, as long as we can fight mathematically, we will. And if there ever comes a time when we can’t fight mathematically, we’ll still keep fighting. Because that’s what this club is all about. We don’t understand… or at least I don’t understand Real Madrid any other way. Always keep fighting, that’s what we’re going to do. I understand that after two defeats like the ones we’ve suffered, the atmosphere isn’t the most positive, but inside the dressing room we’re very, very aware that there’s a long way to go. A long way to go in La Liga. And we’re going to fight every game to win the three points… and we’re going to fight for La Liga.”
Arbeloa on tomorrow’s match
“I think I repeat myself a lot every time you ask me this question, given the opponents we’ve been facing in recent weeks. It won’t be an easy away game. We’re up against a great team and a manager who is doing a wonderful job. They’re a very well-drilled side, playing with a lot of confidence and, I believe, coming off the back of four consecutive wins. And they’re playing really good football. Balaídos is a ground where there’s always a great atmosphere whenever Real Madrid go there. So… well, it’s another very difficult, very demanding away game.”
Arbeloa on two defeats in a row
“Yes, two defeats in a row… in La Liga. That’s right, if we don’t take into account the Champions League. But of course, in a team like Real Madrid, defeat is always difficult to deal with. Because of the expectations, because of the demands. But right now, the only thing we’re thinking about is tomorrow’s match. That’s the only thing we’re concerned about: knowing what we’re up against. We’re aware of that, just as we were in the two matches we couldn’t win. And we’re aware of the level we need to perform at if we want to beat a great rival tomorrow. Knowing that a lot depends on us. On the level we perform at; on our confidence and belief. For us, the past doesn’t exist… we’re only thinking about Balaídos.”
“Yes, yes, of course I talk to him… every day. And of course we’re keeping an eye on what’s happening with him, how he’s doing. He’s getting better every day. And as I think I said here a few days ago: it’s a process in which we’re going to see how he feels day by day. But… but it’s all good news at the moment. He’s getting better and better.”
Arbeloa on whether finishing the season without any titles would be a failure
“Again? Also? Today we’re… in an optimistic mood, you’ve all come! No… no… it’s not that… To tell you the truth, I’m only thinking about the Celta Vigo match. That’s the only thing on my mind right now; the only thing I’m focused on. That’s what I’m going to work on with my players. And I’m not thinking about anything else at all.”
Arbeloa on his initial impact fading
“No, explanations… for me… it’s not that I don’t like them, but I understand that the important thing here is not to explain failure; the important thing here is to win. There’s no point in explaining why you lost. Here at Real Madrid, the only thing that matters is winning the next match. And… of course, I could come here and talk about processes, learning, that nothing is linear, that in all kinds of processes there are peaks… but as I said 15 seconds ago, it wouldn’t do much good. I am very aware that the team can play better, just as I am very aware that we have a great squad. Tomorrow we have a very difficult match… with many players out, too, but I, for my part, am just as confident that we have enough players to win matches. To play better, give more of ourselves, fight harder, battle more and have a more ambitious mentality, more in line with what this badge represents. And… until the last day I’m here, I’m going to fight and work to make that happen. I have no other goal, no other thing on my mind.”
Arbeloa on having so many players out
“No, nothing to say. I was going to say that it makes it easier for me because I have to think less! There are fewer players, so I have to think less! No… no… with confidence, which is what I convey to my players, to the squad. This is Real Madrid and we don’t make excuses. I believe we have to grow in the face of adversity. People, players, professionals, I think we are measured when things get tough. Here, when you’re winning 3-0, everyone plays well, with confidence. When things are going well, it’s very easy to be a great player, a great professional, to wear this shirt. But we have to be seen now. This is the moment when we have to show if we are worthy of wearing this shirt and this badge.”
Arbeloa on the decision for Mbappé and Bellingham to be treated outside the club
“Everything related to injuries, both Jude’s and Kylian’s, is perfectly organised by Real Madrid’s medical services and Real Madrid’s physical preparation department. Both Bellingham and Mbappé, as you well know and are well informed, have been in London and Paris with Real Madrid professionals, with professionals from Real Madrid’s medical services and physical training department. So everything, absolutely everything, is supervised by Real Madrid.”
Arbeloa on the problem in finding ‘consistency’
“The main problem, as I said before… is that it’s not easy. Because we haven’t had, and I think I’m sounding very repetitive, enough time to be able to work on everything we would like to. And I think that’s something that, I imagine, any manager you ask in a situation like ours, in which in 50 days we’ve had, surely, more matches than training sessions to work on. And well, from there, knowing that the players’ adaptation to what we ask of them, as well as my adaptation to the players, is what it is. And we surely have to be able to be more consistent in our performance. I’m not just talking about results, which are very important, but also about performance and the ideas of what we want to do on the pitch.”
“I’m very clear on the issue of Huijsen or Mastantuono. They’re players… Mastantuono, for example, the Juvenil A team is full of players his age. And… Huijsen, who is an international player, could easily be playing for Castilla, given his age. I remember what people said when Vinicius arrived… and look where he is now, with two European Cups and one of the best players in the world. I think we have to be… or at least I’m going to be, very patient with players not only of that potential, but of that level. With what they’re doing in their first season. Because playing for Real Madrid isn’t like playing for any other team in the world, it’s playing for the most demanding club. And at their age. For me, they’re doing a great job. They have my complete trust; all of it, absolutely all of it. I think they have a lot of ability and that they’re going to be very important, not only in the future, but in the present of Real Madrid. I would love for the fans to also understand what each player is. To look after them, cheer them on and demand from them, above all, hard work and effort, which is what is demanded by this badge. And to encourage them to make mistakes, because they are going to make mistakes, because they are human beings and football is a sport of mistakes. But I’m sure that all these experiences will help them grow, as will the demands of this club. I’m sure we have some great nights ahead of us with them. And from here, I give them all my support and confidence, which is what I give them every day.
Arbeloa on Brahim playing so little
“No, nothing has happened. Surely, Brahim is playing less than he deserves and I am responsible for that, because he is a lad who trains very well and has… well, there’s no need to talk about Brahim’s abilities, what he has done with his national team and what he has done for so many years here at Real Madrid. And I’m sure I can get much more out of him than I am doing now, so that he can be of much more help to us. That’s something I owe him. And I’m sure that… I’m going to make the effort to get Brahim to give us much more than he’s giving us, because he has the ability to do so.”
Arbeloa on Asencio and Alaba
“Well… Alaba won’t make it, he won’t be available for the match. Asencio, we think he will; we’re going to train now. And if he’s not there… neither Alaba, who won’t be there, nor Asencio, then of course one of the youth players would play. Aguado could play, Lamini could play… we’ll see. But I think Asencio will be available for tomorrow’s match.”
