Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa spoke to the media on Monday ahead of Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich, saying that, “to win in football, you have to get a lot of things right in every phase of the game. To be a great team, you have to be very well-drilled and have that collective mindset. Perhaps that’s what I’m emphasising most to the players. We have the best players but we must also be the best team in the world. We have to put our talent at the service
of the team.”
Arbeloa on what he hopes to see against Bayern
“A Madrid side that has always stood up to big rivals. Bayern are having an exceptional season. We know just how much they’ll push us on the pitch. Our history with Bayern is always special. The Bernabéu is set for another great Champions League night.”
Arbeloa on resetting with Mbappé and Bellingham back
“It’s clear that Mbappé has different qualities to Brahim, so we’ll have to play in a different way. But I’m delighted to have such outstanding players at our disposal. Mbappé came here to play this sort of match. We’re lucky to have everyone available and not have a squad with ten or eleven players out.”
Arbeloa on this being a test of the project after a year and a half without trophies
“We’re not thinking about not winning the tie. I understand you have to analyse all the scenarios, but for us there’s only one: beating Bayern. That’s what we want and what we believe in.”
Arbeloa on Mbappé and the team’s attacking threat
“The only thing that matters to me is what I think, and it’s an extraordinary stroke of luck to have a player like Mbappé in the team. I put myself in the shoes of the defenders who have to face Madrid.”
Arbeloa on whether Mbappé understands Real Madrid
“Mbappé knows exactly what Real Madrid is all about; he’s always dreamed of playing here. It hasn’t been easy for him to make it here.”
Arbeloa on one draw in 37 games
“It’s an interesting statistic, and the mentality is that of Real Madrid, which is to win. I always believe we can win. In some matches we’ve conceded in the dying minutes, but this is Madrid and you have to always try to win.”
Arbeloa on the locker room after Mallorca
“It’s a locker room like any other when you lose. Perhaps it hurts more, because if there’s one club where defeat isn’t tolerated, it’s Madrid.”
Arbeloa on bouncing back
“These are different matches and contexts. The players know exactly what lies ahead. I don’t need to warn them about anything. It’s a quarter-final against a team we have a long history with, and with the Bernabéu behind us. I think we’re all aware of that.”
Arbeloa on what changes with Bellingham
“What changes is that we’re a better team; I’m convinced of that. He has different qualities to his teammates and when he’s on the pitch we have to adapt. That’s what football’s all about, having those connections between players. But it’s a blessed problem to have to fit Bellingham into the team.”
Arbeloa on Alaba
“It’s a huge privilege to have a player with a career like Alaba’s, not just for what he’s done at Madrid but also at Bayern and for his country. He’s had games where he’s helped us enormously. All players are important, whatever their role. He embodies all the values a footballer should have.”
Arbeloa on Bayern
“They’re a very well-drilled side; you can quickly spot their hallmarks and style of play. They’re a very aggressive team in defence, forcing you into situations where you see all the players dropping back in a remarkable way. Then, when they have the ball, they create opportunities out wide with their highly talented players. I think they’re a very complete side with plenty of weapons at their disposal. And they’re incredibly committed defensively. Kompany deserves every bit of the praise he’s getting because he’s doing a tremendous job at Bayern Munich.”
Arbeloa on if he’s a man manager or a tactician
“I don’t put myself on a pedestal; I’m whatever you want me to be. My obsession is preparing my teams for what they’re going to face on the pitch and getting the best out of each player. You have to be a manager capable of doing everything.”
Arbeloa on concern about six players being a yellow card away from suspension
“There’s no need. They know they’re on a warning, but tomorrow’s a tight game and they know that if they have to pick up a card for the good of the team, they’ll do it. But we’ve already played many games with players on a card.”
