Arbeloa: "We have nine finals left in LaLiga, and tomorrow is the first one"
"We no longer have any margin for error, and we play for each competition in every match," added our coach.
Álvaro Arbeloa appeared in the press room at the Ciudad Real Madrid and analyzed the match against Mallorca for matchday 30 of LaLiga, which will take place at Son Moix (Saturday, 4:15 pm CEST; Orange TV and Movistar LaLiga): “The players have returned well from international matches. Fortunately, all are safe and sound, which is the first objective when they go off with their national teams. For the vast majority, it has been positive, getting minutes and playing at a high level. Those of us who stayed here have worked hard and effectively. We are ready and aware of tomorrow's match, of the challenge that awaits us against a rival that is very strong at home and needs the points as much as we do. It won't be easy to play away after a break. We have nine finals left in LaLiga, and tomorrow is the first one.”
“I plan to field the best team I have to win the match, as I always do. Clearly, we have, within six days, three highly demanding matches because from now until the end of the season, we have no margin for error, and we play for each competition in every match. Tomorrow, we will field the best possible team, and we will do the same on Tuesday and Friday. There are many matches in very few days, but we have a squad of magnificent players. We will need all of them, and it's being demonstrated. Every player is having their moments, their minutes, and their importance. Each and every one of them has been very important in the two months I've been here, and it will remain the same tomorrow, on Tuesday, Friday, the following Wednesday... We now have many matches, and surely there will be opportunities for everyone.”
Decisive phase
“We are where we wanted to be: fighting for the League and the Champions League. Our only goal is to win tomorrow's match and once the Mallorca match is over, we will think about the next one. We are playing for the League and the Champions League in every match. We have no margin for error and we need to be very aware of this when we step onto the pitch tomorrow because it's going to be a very tough game. I've had 714 alarms go off due to the context we're coming from and the difficulty of the opponent. After a break, it's always hard to reconnect, but I trust how the players have trained, their desire, their attitude, their mindset, and their confidence. I see them with a lot of confidence and motivation. They are mentally prepared to fight for the League and the Champions League, knowing it won't be easy. We are Real Madrid and we need to prove it in every match. All together and with that unity, knowing that when spring arrives, this Real Madrid always tends to give its best. That's our goal.”
Militão's return
“He will be back. He'll be in Mallorca tomorrow. In top form, he’s arguably the best center-back in the world. I haven't had the fortune of managing him in any match yet, but we've enjoyed him at Real Madrid for many years, and often you get the feeling that there are two players on the field when he's there. He's an exceptional center-back due to his physical prowess, his abilities, his intelligence, and his leadership. He will help us and contribute a lot. He is a game-changing player. I'm very happy to have him back because he will be crucial for this final stretch of the season and for fighting for everything.”
Bellingham
“His case was particular. He played a few minutes against Atlético, and his national team coach decided he shouldn't play. I understand they didn't want to take any risks, but Jude is intelligent enough to have had good training sessions and kept himself in shape. He's ready to play tomorrow and help the team, which is what we need—getting him back into match rhythm.”
“I didn’t have any plan with him. The plan is whatever the English coach decides. That’s normal. For me, there’s no problem that he didn’t get minutes with England, and if he had, it wouldn’t have been a problem either. He’s going to be a crucial and important player. I’m very happy to see him back in training, and now my only goal is to help him regain his best level, and that has to happen by playing. He’s been out for a long time, several weeks away, and we’ll need to ease him back in gradually.”
Mbappé’s knee
“Mbappé has clearly stated these past days that the information is absolutely false, but I think it’s time to move past Mbappé’s knee and focus on his goals and the one he scored with his national team. Hopefully, he can also score goals for us and return to the level he has demonstrated and possesses. We want to talk about his quality and how much he can help us.”
Is Mbappé disappointed about not starting in the derby?
“He’s not disappointed. In the two months I’ve been with him, he has always had direct communication with me. The decision not to include him in the starting lineup against Atlético was a matter of common sense. Zero problems and no complaints. He knew what he had to do and is always at the team’s disposal. On my end, he has always shown great respect for all my decisions, and I’ve never had even the slightest issue or complaint from him. He has always made himself available to me, and for me, it’s a privilege to have a player of his caliber and humility.”
Enjoy all the videos of this match on RM Play
Mbappé’s work in pressing
“He has a huge commitment to his team and his teammates, and he knows perfectly well what I ask of him, as well as Vini Jr. or Brahim. For the players up front, we’re asking for that collective sense that we demand of all players. It’s clear that forwards have to defend less than defenders, just as they attack more than a defender does. Everyone on the team knows their role. We need to be a highly committed team every day and with every player—the 25-man squad and the 11 who are on the pitch for the 90 minutes. We understand that to win each match, we need everyone’s commitment. At this point in the season, our only goal is to finish the matches without sparing any effort. Then, with the talent they have, they make the difference and win games, but through great effort. Kylian is the first to understand that we need his commitment.”
Brahim
“He needs to continue performing at the level he’s shown. That’s the goal for every player. When they step onto the pitch, they need to demonstrate their talent and determination. He has played at a very high level, and now it’s my decision. Surely, from now until the end of the season, he’ll continue to get plenty of minutes on the pitch because he’s earning them and is becoming very important. He’s giving us a lot from the start and is capable of coming off the bench and contributing. He has a lot of class and is a difference-maker. He comes from a situation that wasn’t easy, but he’s fought through it, and when I’ve given him the chance, he’s shown the kind of player he is. That’s what we need from every player. We have an extraordinary squad, with many very good players. I’m going to need everyone because there are many demanding matches, and they’re all going to be very important.”
How has Vini Jr. been?
“He’s tired, as expected. My friend Carletto hasn’t given him much rest, but that’s normal. Who wants to rest a player like him? I completely understand, but he’s had two very demanding matches. Both Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team are teams where the demands are very high, but that’s what he has to deal with. He’s an incredible player, and it’s clear he’s come from a heavy load of matches since the start of 2026. I don’t think he’s had a single day off. We’ll see how he feels today ahead of tomorrow’s match and make our decision.”
Decisive phase
“We are where we wanted to be: fighting for the League and the Champions League. Our only goal is to win tomorrow's match and once the Mallorca match is over, we will think about the next one. We are playing for the League and the Champions League in every match. We have no margin for error and we need to be very aware of this when we step onto the pitch tomorrow because it's going to be a very tough game. I've had 714 alarms go off due to the context we're coming from and the difficulty of the opponent. After a break, it's always hard to reconnect, but I trust how the players have trained, their desire, their attitude, their mindset, and their confidence. I see them with a lot of confidence and motivation. They are mentally prepared to fight for the League and the Champions League, knowing it won't be easy. We are Real Madrid and we need to prove it in every match. All together and with that unity, knowing that when spring arrives, this Real Madrid always tends to give its best. That's our goal.”
Militão's return
“He will be back. He'll be in Mallorca tomorrow. In top form, he’s arguably the best center-back in the world. I haven't had the fortune of managing him in any match yet, but we've enjoyed him at Real Madrid for many years, and often you get the feeling that there are two players on the field when he's there. He's an exceptional center-back due to his physical prowess, his abilities, his intelligence, and his leadership. He will help us and contribute a lot. He is a game-changing player. I'm very happy to have him back because he will be crucial for this final stretch of the season and for fighting for everything.”
Bellingham
“His case was particular. He played a few minutes against Atlético, and his national team coach decided he shouldn't play. I understand they didn't want to take any risks, but Jude is intelligent enough to have had good training sessions and kept himself in shape. He's ready to play tomorrow and help the team, which is what we need—getting him back into match rhythm.”
“I didn’t have any plan with him. The plan is whatever the English coach decides. That’s normal. For me, there’s no problem that he didn’t get minutes with England, and if he had, it wouldn’t have been a problem either. He’s going to be a crucial and important player. I’m very happy to see him back in training, and now my only goal is to help him regain his best level, and that has to happen by playing. He’s been out for a long time, several weeks away, and we’ll need to ease him back in gradually.”
Mbappé’s knee
“Mbappé has clearly stated these past days that the information is absolutely false, but I think it’s time to move past Mbappé’s knee and focus on his goals and the one he scored with his national team. Hopefully, he can also score goals for us and return to the level he has demonstrated and possesses. We want to talk about his quality and how much he can help us.”
Is Mbappé disappointed about not starting in the derby?
“He’s not disappointed. In the two months I’ve been with him, he has always had direct communication with me. The decision not to include him in the starting lineup against Atlético was a matter of common sense. Zero problems and no complaints. He knew what he had to do and is always at the team’s disposal. On my end, he has always shown great respect for all my decisions, and I’ve never had even the slightest issue or complaint from him. He has always made himself available to me, and for me, it’s a privilege to have a player of his caliber and humility.”
Enjoy all the videos of this match on RM Play
Mbappé’s work in pressing
“He has a huge commitment to his team and his teammates, and he knows perfectly well what I ask of him, as well as Vini Jr. or Brahim. For the players up front, we’re asking for that collective sense that we demand of all players. It’s clear that forwards have to defend less than defenders, just as they attack more than a defender does. Everyone on the team knows their role. We need to be a highly committed team every day and with every player—the 25-man squad and the 11 who are on the pitch for the 90 minutes. We understand that to win each match, we need everyone’s commitment. At this point in the season, our only goal is to finish the matches without sparing any effort. Then, with the talent they have, they make the difference and win games, but through great effort. Kylian is the first to understand that we need his commitment.”
Brahim
“He needs to continue performing at the level he’s shown. That’s the goal for every player. When they step onto the pitch, they need to demonstrate their talent and determination. He has played at a very high level, and now it’s my decision. Surely, from now until the end of the season, he’ll continue to get plenty of minutes on the pitch because he’s earning them and is becoming very important. He’s giving us a lot from the start and is capable of coming off the bench and contributing. He has a lot of class and is a difference-maker. He comes from a situation that wasn’t easy, but he’s fought through it, and when I’ve given him the chance, he’s shown the kind of player he is. That’s what we need from every player. We have an extraordinary squad, with many very good players. I’m going to need everyone because there are many demanding matches, and they’re all going to be very important.”
How has Vini Jr. been?
“He’s tired, as expected. My friend Carletto hasn’t given him much rest, but that’s normal. Who wants to rest a player like him? I completely understand, but he’s had two very demanding matches. Both Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team are teams where the demands are very high, but that’s what he has to deal with. He’s an incredible player, and it’s clear he’s come from a heavy load of matches since the start of 2026. I don’t think he’s had a single day off. We’ll see how he feels today ahead of tomorrow’s match and make our decision.”
Have you watched your players' international matches?
“Yes, of course. We have to follow all the matches of our players and also the post-match aspects: how they felt, how they are doing. I wrote to Güler and congratulated him. Very happy for him because I know what playing in a World Cup means to him, not only for what that event represents but, above all, for how proud he feels of his country and how important this qualification was for him. I am always very happy to see my players happy and achieving their goals, even with their national teams. I would love to see all my players in the World Cup this summer.”
Do you think you've earned staying for the next season?
“It doesn’t worry me at all and I’ve said it many times. I’ll be here as long as the club wants me to be here. I’m very happy, and my only goal is to help the players win titles, which is what I want. To help and contribute my bit. The important thing is that Real Madrid wins. No matter who is sitting in this chair, I’ll be happy if Real Madrid wins, and that’s my only goal.”
Racist chants in Cornellá
“Spain is not a racist country, and if it were, we would have a problem in every stadium, every weekend. We are not going to change the narrative. I continue to think the same, which is that any kind of racist behavior must be eradicated in stadiums and in society. This is something I will continue to defend and believe in, no matter who or where it happens. In this regard, Spain, as a country, has to keep fighting to eradicate such attitudes. We are a great country, very tolerant. What often happens in these cases is that we tend to generalize, but we must continue with the same fight and the same strength to keep eradicating these types of behaviors from every stadium and from Spanish society.”
Disclaimer: Translation generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies.