Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa spoke to the media on Friday morning ahead of the La Liga game against Real Mallorca and was asked about Kylian Mbappé’s admission that he presses less than some team-mates. “Look, I think Kylian is hugely committed to his team and his teammates, and he knows exactly what I’m asking of him,” Arbeloa responded. “Both him, Vini and Brahim; the players up front, they all have that team spirit we’re asking for. It’s clear that forwards have to defend less than defenders,
just as they attack more than a defender does. Don’t you think? Everyone knows their role within the team. But we need to be a very committed team every day, all the players. All 25 of them; the eleven on the pitch. The 90 minutes. We’re aware that to win every match we need everyone’s commitment. At this stage of the season, our sole objective is to see out the match without holding anything back. And… then, with the talent these players have, in the end, they’re the ones who make the difference, the ones who win the matches. But always with a lot of effort, too. And Kylian is the first to know that we need his commitment.”
Arbeloa on the internationals
“Well, they’ve come back in good shape. Luckily, everyone’s safe and sound. That’s the main priority when they go away on international duty. And well… I think it’s been a very positive break for most of them. Getting minutes, playing at a high level. Those of us who’ve stayed here have been working hard and well. And we’re already prepared and fully focused on tomorrow’s match, aware of the demands it will bring. Against an opponent who’s very strong at home and who needs the points just as much as we do. We’re ready, because it won’t be easy; it’s never easy after a break. And on top of that, we’re playing away from home. We have nine league finals left and tomorrow is the first of them.”
Arbeloa on Bellingham being called up but not playing
“His case was a bit unusual, because the truth is he did play a few minutes against Atlético Madrid… and well, now the England manager has decided he won’t play. I also understand that they didn’t want to take any risks. And… well, I think Jude is smart enough to have had some good training sessions. To keep getting himself match-fit. And he’s ready to play tomorrow. To help the team, which is what we need. So he can get back into the rhythm of competition. And… that’s all.”
Arbeloa on rotations against Mallorca
“I plan to field the best team I have to win the match, as I always do. It’s clear that we have three matches in six days. And they’re all of the highest standard, because from now until the end of the season there’s no margin for error. That’s the reality. Neither in La Liga nor in the Champions League. We’re playing for every competition in every match. Tomorrow we’ll field the best possible team, just as we’ll do again on Tuesday and again on Friday. It’s clear that’s a lot of matches in very few days, but we have a squad full of magnificent players. And as I always tell them: we’re going to need every one of them. And it’s proving that, in the end, every player is getting their moments, their minutes and their importance. In the two months I’ve been here, each and every one of them has been very important. And it’s going to stay that way. Tomorrow, Tuesday, Friday, next Wednesday… we’ve got loads of matches and I’m sure there’ll be moments for everyone.”
Arbeloa on Mbappé’s injury
“What Kylian has clearly said over the last few days: that information is absolutely false. I think it’s time now to put Mbappé’s knee behind us and focus on his goals. Like the goal he scored for his national team… and hopefully he can score them for us too. And get back to the level he’s shown and possesses. That’s what we want. And to be able to enjoy and talk about his goals, his quality and how much he has to help us.”
Arbeloa on Militão
“He’s coming back. When fit, he’s surely the best centre-back in the world. I haven’t had the chance to manage him yet, but he’s a sensational centre-back. Given his qualities and leadership, he’s going to help us a great deal. He’s a game-changer and we’re very happy to have him back.”
Arbeloa on whether he watched all the internationals
“We have to follow them all, of course. I’ve written to several; I congratulated Güler. I know what the World Cup means to him. And to his country. I’m very pleased, very happy to see him happy.”
Arbeloa on whether Mbappé was disappointed to be on the bench for the derby
“No, no. Not at all. He’s always been very open with me. We’ve discussed most things. And his starting eleven… it was a common-sense decision.”
Arbeloa on his future
“I’m not worried about it at all. I’ve said it many times: I’ll be here until the day the club wants me to be. I’m very happy and my only goal is to help the players win trophies. That’s what I want: for Real Madrid to keep winning trophies. I’ll help, keep doing my bit. But the important thing is that Real Madrid win. Whoever is in this chair, I’ll be happy if Real Madrid win. And that’s my only goal.”
Arbeloa on racism
“I don’t think Spain is a racist country. If it were, we’d have problems every weekend. We need to eradicate certain behaviours, things I can’t change. But I’m going to keep standing up for this. Spain must keep fighting to eradicate these kinds of attitudes, but we’re a great country, very tolerant. We mustn’t generalise; but we must keep up the same fight and determination.”
Arbeloa on the last two months of the season
“We’re where we wanted to be: fighting for La Liga and the Champions League. But for now, let’s focus on Mallorca. Because we’re playing for everything in every match; we have no margin for error. Mallorca is a very tricky match, one that’s set off 714 alarm bells for me. Because of the context, because of the opposition, because it’s tough after a break… but I’m confident in how the players have trained. I can see they’re raring to go, focused on fighting for everything. We know it won’t be easy, but we’re Real Madrid and we must prove it in every match. That when spring comes, this club always gives its very best.”
Arbeloa on whether the plan was for Bellingham to play for England
“I didn’t have any plan; that’s for the manager to decide, as it is in every country. But there’s no problem with him not having played for England, just as there wouldn’t have been if he had. I’m happy to see him back and, from here on, to get him back into the swing of things bit by bit.”
