Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa spoke to the media ahead of his team’s match against Getafe on Monday. He was asked about Castilla star Thiago Pitarch, about whom he said: “He’s a very fast lad, and you can see what he’s capable of. He’s an extremely dynamic player, with great stamina, work rate, and mobility. His greatest quality is his tremendous personality; he always wants the ball, and when he’s under pressure, he doesn’t feel pressured. I understand that people are surprised he’s making
his debut in a Champions League knockout match, but he’s doing it because I had complete confidence in him to do what he often does. The academy players have an easier time understanding what I expect from them. Thiago will continue to enjoy opportunities with the first team. It’s a pleasure to have a player like him.”
Arbeloa on the match vs Getafe
“I’m really looking forward to it, knowing how tough the opponent is, with a coach who always gets the best out of his players. They’re a very difficult opponent, capable of making for very close matches and forcing you to play your own game. I’m really looking forward to playing at home in front of our fans.”
Arbeloa on Kylian Mbappé
“We are very clear about what is wrong with him and what we want now, which is for him to recover from these discomforts and return to 100% when he is fully recovered.
“We’ll see how it goes day by day. It’s a matter of him seeing how he feels. Right now, it’s best not to give any deadlines and let him gauge how he’s feeling. Based on that, we’ll make decisions. We want him back at 100%, and when that happens, he’ll be back.”
Arbeloa on facing Manchester City
“It’s going to be a thrilling match between two great clubs. It’s a tie that Real Madrid fans really enjoy because of the caliber of the opponent. When the time comes, we’ll prepare to the fullest.”
Arbeloa on the right-wingers of the squad
“There’s room for everyone. This isn’t a closed system. The great thing is that, with the different abilities the players have, they can do different things. When you make changes, it’s not because someone is doing badly, but because you want something different.”
Arbeloa on the schedule
“The Champions League thing has been going on for a long time. It can affect things a bit, like everything else. The scheduling was done in the most logical way, considering the Champions League knockout rounds we all have.”
Arbeloa on Rodrygo
“He has to be incredibly important. He can be a key, decisive player. He’s been proving his quality at Real Madrid for many years. He can contribute in all three attacking positions. He’s a very complete player and very difficult to defend. I’m really looking forward to having him back.”
Arbeloa on Vinicius Jr
“I don’t know if I’ve hit the wrong note… The credit belongs to Vini, who is a fantastic footballer. I give him a lot of confidence and affection, and I encourage his teammates to look for him to take advantage of his qualities. He’s a decisive, fundamental player. As a coach, my focus is on finding him in many different situations on the pitch.”
Arbeloa on playing in a World Cup year
“I’ve never understood anything other than giving everything I had for my club and then giving everything for the national team, given how things were going. I don’t understand footballers who hold back, who do nothing but give their all for Real Madrid in this case. There’s no better way to prepare than to perform well for your team.”
Arbeloa on Jose Bordalás
“He’s been in the league for many years, and every year, regardless of the players he has, he gets the best out of them. He makes his teams play according to his style. You know exactly what to expect when you face him. His teams defend very well; they concede the fewest shots on the road. He’s very well-drilled.”
Arbeloa on whether he watches Barcelona games
“Whenever I can, I watch all the league’s matches. Our own games and our rivals take up most of our time, but we all enjoy watching other teams play.”
Arbeloa on his starting XI
“It’s always easier to try and build a cohesive unit and then integrate players from there. We haven’t had that preseason time or many days of training, and it’s important to establish automatic responses. It’s much easier to do it this way, and then the players can gradually adapt to the team’s rhythm. But there’s also been a great performance from all the players, and they’re earning their place in the team.”
