Arbeloa: "The tie ended with Camavinga's sending off, and it is something inexplicable and unfair"

Álvaro Arbeloa appeared before the media in the press room of the Allianz Arena and analyzed the match against Bayern. The Real Madrid coach began by addressing Camavinga's sending off: “It’s an action that no one understands how you can send a player off for something like that in a match of this nature. It's clear that the tie ended at that moment, and it is something totally inexplicable and unfair. We are very hurt because the tie slipped away from us in a way that we couldn’t control, and I feel very sorry for my players and the effort they have made.”

“I feel very proud of them, of the fans, of all those who traveled, of those at home, and of the club. If there’s one thing that hurts about this defeat, it's that we won’t win the Sixteenth this year, and above all, the way it happened.”

The game plan
“I think I put out the best team to win. We had to come here to win; I couldn’t come to speculate—I wanted to score goals. I knew Bayern, with the way they play, also needed to worry about defending against us. I wanted to field players capable of overcoming their aggressive and man-marking pressure. I would do it again, and I would pick this team again. Each and every one of them gave a great effort. They showed a lot of character in this stadium against a great team. The reality is that in the second half, we knew we had to hold on, and those chances—well, it’s unfortunate we couldn’t convert them, because in football, what matters most is being decisive and clear when you’re near the goalkeeper.”

How is the locker room?
“They are very hurt, especially because of the way it happened. From here, I also want to congratulate Bayern Munich on the great tie they played. But we would have liked them to beat us in a different way than how it happened, with an inexplicable sending-off that no one understands. And I think that’s why there is this sense of injustice, anger, and pain my players feel, seeing how their work, effort, and sacrifice on the field were undone by an action like the one the referee made.”

Was the referee aware it was the second yellow card?
“I think he issued the card precisely because of that, because Bayern players had to go and tell him it was the second yellow. I think referees often either don’t play football or don’t understand how to handle this type of situation. But beyond not knowing, I think it’s even worse not knowing that a player who had already received a card not long ago—because Camavinga came on in the second half—is being penalized. I think it’s a double mistake.”

Can anything positive be taken from the result?
“I don’t know if anything positive can be taken right now. I think, and I’ve always said this, that I am responsible for defeats, and I will always take responsibility for a loss like this. The fans have to be very proud of their players, of how they gave their all and the character they showed. Since I’ve been in this seat, I’ve always tried to help the club—not necessarily in the way I know, but in the way I can. From now on, we have some matches left to play, and as always, we’ll defend this badge to the maximum, just as these players have done today.”

Do you feel strong enough to continue?
“Since I’ve been in this seat, it hasn’t been to prove my level as a coach. I’ve never wanted to win matches through my decisions but by helping the players on the pitch. We’ve faced many teams: Bayern under Kompany, City under Guardiola, Atlético under Simeone… I think most teams in Europe bear the stamp of their coaches, and I don’t know how much of a stamp this team of mine has, or what percentage. Surely a much smaller percentage than the examples I mentioned or the one Castilla might have had under me. As I said, I’ve always tried to help the club in the way I could, and that’s how it will be until the last day.”

Do you think the club might have enough reasons to give you another chance?
“I’m not worried at all, and I will fully understand any decisions the club might make. I’m a man of this club. If I’m hurt today, it’s not for myself; it’s for Real Madrid and because we won’t win the Sixteenth this year. I’m hurt for the players, as I said before, for the club, for the fans—not for myself. My future concerns me very little. Since I’ve been in this seat, it hasn’t been a concern at all. I feel I’ve done everything I could to try to help my players win every day.”

If you don’t continue, would you like to remain part of the club?
“Right now, I’m not thinking about any of that. It’s the club’s decision, and I’m a man of the club. The only thing I want is for Real Madrid to win, no matter who is sitting on the bench.”

 

Disclaimer: Translation generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies.