Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa spoke to the media ahead of their game against Espanyol on Sunday. He was asked about the poor situation the club find themselves in, to which he said: “There are a lot of matches. The results are far from what Real Madrid should be. You can’t beat anyone these days just by getting off the bus. We have to improve a lot, collectively. The talent we have isn’t enough to keep the ball on the ground and play individually. We need a plan, a structure, a way to disrupt
the opponent… They have a different mentality and we’ve paid the price in points.”
Arbeloa on Espanyol
“A match between two teams that need to win, for different reasons. It’s always a difficult ground, with great fans, a great team, and a fantastic coach. Their results haven’t been as good as their work. I’ve always enjoyed watching them play. I have a lot of respect for them.”
Arbeloa on the guard of honor and a title win for Barcelona
“It’s not my biggest motivation. Winning the three points is what we need. That’s my motivation.”
Arbeloa on Dani Ceballos
“I don’t get into public debates about situations with my players. I’ve been in this locker room for over 20 years, and the first thing I learned is that things stay in the locker room. I’ve held that view for 20 years, and I stand by it.”
Arbeloa on the new manager
“I understand the questions, but my only answer is that the future is tomorrow, the match, winning the three points. Every match for me is life. It’s the most important thing.
“I’m worried about tomorrow’s game. I’m focused, I always think about Real Madrid. The future is tomorrow.”
Arbeloa on the lack of leaders
“We are a very young team, that’s the average age. But I’ve been talking about great players lately, with personality and experience. Certainly, there have been situations that we need to handle better, but a young squad can have those youthful indiscretions. But there are leaders and players with great personalities.”
Arbeloa on Gonzalo’s future
“These are decisions for the player and the club to make. They will decide. I know Gonzalo well; he has exceptional abilities. He’s playing less than he deserves, but I see him working hard, and he has a great future ahead of him. It’s a position with enormous competition, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t doing well. When I’ve needed him, he’s delivered.”
Arbeloa on Franco Mastantuono
“The same goes for him, but I have to say he’s a young man who’s working very hard. When he plays, he has the desire to show what he’s capable of, what Real Madrid has signed him for. He could be playing in the youth team, but he has a lot of talent and maturity; he doesn’t seem 18. He has an extraordinary future because of his talent, his commitment, his mentality… Argentinians here tend to fit in well with Real Madrid. I hope we can enjoy him for many years.”
Arbeloa on a drop from two years ago
“These are assessments that belong to the press. We’ve dropped points against rivals we shouldn’t have conceded, and that’s what hurts the most. There are situations that are difficult to control and they happen often. We have to fight.”
Arbeloa on whether he is disappointed in any of the players
Of course not, I defend them publicly. I’m in their hands because of what they show me every day. That’s what a coach should do. We’ve had a pretty open relationship with most of them. Whatever needs to be resolved is between us. I will always defend them from this position.”
