Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa was in a motivational mood as he faced the press ahead of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg saying that he believes in a comeback as, “for a start, we’re Real Madrid. If there’s one team that can come to this stadium and stage a comeback, it’s us. We’re a team that never gives up, the team with 15 European Cups. We’re Madrid and we’ll return with our victory or having given our all”.
Arbeloa on a comeback
“We’re raring to go, just as keen as all the Real Madrid fans. We’re convinced
we can do it and we’re ready for a great match.”
Arbeloa on the absence of Tchouameni
“We have plenty of options and many players who can play in Tchouameni’s position. Camavinga, Thiago, Ceballos, Valverde… I know the starting eleven I’m going to field tomorrow. They give me a lot of confidence. The substitutes will have to help us in the second half because it will be a very long and intense match. I feel privileged to have the squad I have.”
Arbeloa on Carlos Álcaraz’s ‘Head, heart and guts’ motto and which matters most
“All of them. It’s a match where we have to be at the very top of our game. Mentally, emotionally, technically, tactically… We have to put in a great performance both individually and as a team. Tomorrow we have to show character to play in a stadium like this against a massive team that already beat us last week. We have to show who we are.”
Arbeloa on whether the team needs to step up to pull off a miracle
“I don’t see us needing to pull off any miracles. If we’d won the other day, it wouldn’t have been anything out of the ordinary. Their goalkeeper was the MVP. We’re capable of doing it. No one who knows Madrid thinks that Madrid winning tomorrow would be a miracle.”
Arbeloa on whether Bayern should be scared
“They’re a great team too, a team that can look us in the eye in terms of history, mentality and character… We have to focus on ourselves; that’s what matters and that’s what we can prove.”
Arbeloa on Real Madrid having never come from behind to win away in the European Cup
“We haven’t discussed it, but it’s just another challenge. Madrid’s history has been built on the impossible. We’re ready to fight to add to this club’s history and come from behind away from home.”
Arbeloa on what the team needs to improve
“We need to improve many aspects of our game. It’s important to make the most of our chances; we won’t have as many as in the first leg. It’s all about confidence. We have to score if we want to win and go through. We have to play very well tomorrow.”
Arbeloa on whether the dressing room is prepared
“We’ve played here many times before. I have. Many players have too. We know it. We’re ready for it. These are atmospheres in which Madrid players feel at home. These are moments they want to be part of and give their very best. I’m sure they’ll go out and play a great game tomorrow.”
Arbeloa on the role of underdog
“I don’t know how many teams in the world can say they’ve won the European Cup 15 times. The Real Madrid manager believes it, the players believe it and the club believes it. I haven’t come across a single fan in the last few days who doesn’t believe we’re going to win. Everyone believes it. We know how difficult it is; nobody knows what’s going to happen tomorrow, but we’re going to give our all and with that we believe we’re going to win.”
