Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa cut a dejected figure as he spoke to the media after a 4-3 defeat on the night against Bayern Munich knocked his side out of the UEFA Champions League at the quarter-final stage. On the mood in the locker room, he said: “Very hurt… very hurt. Especially because of the way it happened. I congratulate Bayern on their great performance in the tie, but we would have liked them to beat us differently. It was an inexplicable red card, no one understands it. That’s why there’s
a sense of injustice and anger. All the work and effort went down the drain because of a decision like the one the referee made.”
Arbeloa on the red card
“No one understands why a player would be sent off for a play like that. At that moment, the play was over. It’s an unfair decision, and we’re really hurt by it. It’s something you can’t control. I’m very proud of my players and the fans. It hurts that we won’t be winning the 16th title this year. Now we have to focus on the next game.”
Arbeloa on the game
“I put out what I think was the best team to win. We had to come here to do that, not to speculate. To score goals. We needed players capable of breaking out of Bayern’s aggressive pressure. I’d do it again. I’m very proud of my players, of my tremendous team. We had plenty of chances, and it’s a shame we didn’t convert them.”
Arbeloa on whether the referee didn’t know Camavinga already had a yellow card
“I think he showed him the card precisely for that reason, because the Bayern players had to go remind him that it was the second one. But the thing is… not even a yellow card. I don’t know, either he hasn’t played football… or I don’t know. I think it’s even worse that he didn’t know he had a yellow card, because that’s a double mistake.”
Arbeloa on positives to take away
“I don’t know, I don’t know if there’s anything positive to take from this right now. As I’ve always said, I’m the one responsible for the losses, and I’ll always take responsibility. The players gave their all, their lives. Since I’ve sat in this chair, I’ve always tried to help the club… in whatever way I can. From now on, we have a few games left to play, and we must defend this crest to the fullest, just as we did today.”
Arbeloa on how he feels
“Ever since I took this seat… it hasn’t been about proving my worth as a coach, because I haven’t wanted to win games through my decisions, but rather by helping the players. We’ve faced Bayern, City, Atlético… most teams bear the stamp of their coaches, and surely this one bears less of mine than theirs. But I’ve always tried to help the club in any way I could, and that’s how it’s going to be until the very last day.”
Arbeloa on his future
“I’m not worried about it at all, and I’ll fully understand any decisions the club might make. I’m a man of the club, and if I’m hurt, it’s not for myself, but for Real Madrid. Because we’re not going to win the Sixteenth this year. But I’m not very concerned about my future. Ever since I sat in this chair… it hasn’t been the slightest concern. And I feel I’ve done everything I could to help my players.”
Arbeloa on whether he’d stay at the club in a different role
“I’ll say it again: I’m not worried at all. I’m a club man and I’ll accept any decision. The only thing I want is for Real Madrid to keep winning.”
