Arbeloa: “Against Betis, it will be a match of the highest demand”

Álvaro Arbeloa spoke to the media during the press conference ahead of Real Madrid's match against Betis at La Cartuja Stadium, corresponding to Matchday 32 of La Liga (Friday, 9:00 pm CEST; Orange TV and Dazn): “They are a team that secured a very important victory last Tuesday. Moreover, they are regaining players who are of great importance. There's no need to explain the kind of opponent Betis is, the players they have, and their outstanding coach, for whom I have great respect and affection. This is a highly demanding match for us.”

“Our objective has to be to win all six matches, regardless of what Barcelona does. We want to deliver a great performance in these six matches, continue growing, and improve on many aspects we need to address in La Liga. We are not concerned about anything other than winning tomorrow's match. Once it’s over, we’ll focus on Espanyol.”

Motivating the players
“My main objective should not be to motivate Real Madrid players. If there’s one thing a Real Madrid player must have, it’s a strong sense of self-demand. My main concern is preparing them for what they will encounter on the pitch: understanding how the opponent plays, identifying our solutions to their approaches, and having a very clear game plan. That’s where I dedicate most of my time. Opponents facing us have a special motivation when they play against Real Madrid. We must wear this jersey with pride and understand what it represents.”

Carvajal
“My response the other day was quite curt and serious to a question I found out of place. It wasn’t curt because of Carvajal. You can look back at all my responses about him since I’ve been here. You can also ask my players how I talk about Carvajal in front of the group. For me, it feels like you are trying to create a narrative that isn’t justified. Since I’ve been coach, he has proven that he is more than ready to go to the World Cup. He has started several matches, including some of the most demanding ones, like against Atlético, and he has performed exceptionally well.” 

“I couldn’t be happier with his performance. He is a fundamental player for us both on and off the field. I believe he should be just as important for the national team, especially in a tournament like the World Cup. We all know that there are moments when you need players like him. He is not only a legend of Real Madrid but surely the most important academy player in the club’s history. For everything he has won, for the years he has been here, for being a player who laid the first stone in Ciudad Real Madrid.”

“I think I’ve always had a great relationship with him since he arrived and we shared a locker room. Despite what many people say about us sharing the same position, I have always treated him with care, respect, and admiration. I’ve helped him in every way I could when we were teammates. Anyone who thinks I make the lineups for reasons other than strictly football-related or personal reasons must be someone who would be capable of doing that. It’s hard for me to believe that there’s a coach in the football world who doesn’t make the lineup based on football reasons.”

Carvajal’s Minutes
“This is very simple. I can only play with eleven players. When I put one player in, it doesn’t mean I’m not happy with those who aren’t playing. There are many players with whom I’m being unfair. My goal is to feel that I’m being unfair to those who don’t play because they are working well. Every time they play, they show me that they can help. There are many I’m being unfair to, and they deserve to play more than they are. But I can only play eleven and make five substitutions.”

“The other day, I would have also liked to reward more players in the second half with more minutes to give them the opportunity. I see them train, something no one else does, and there are many who are doing a great job every time I’ve played them, whether it’s for one minute or fifteen. It doesn’t mean I’m not happy with those who play less than they deserve. For me, it’s clear, evident, and I don’t know if it’s hard to understand.”

Should Carvajal Stay?
“When you ask me about this topic, I always answer the same. It’s a matter between Carvajal and the club. I would love for whatever makes both the club and Carvajal happy to happen. All I can say is how much he has helped me as a coach during these months and the group in situations that have not been easy. Whatever is good for Carvajal and Real Madrid will make me happy.”

Trent
“He is showing a great level. His performance is beyond doubt, and right now he deserves to play. When he hasn’t, Carvajal has stepped in and done an excellent job. In every match, Real Madrid is fighting for its life, and so am I. Every time I put a player on the field, I must trust them immensely. Many times, it’s not appreciated that when a coach selects a player, it’s because they truly believe the player deserves it and, above all, that the team will win with them on the field. I don’t give away minutes to anyone, and there are players I wish could play more than they are.”

End of the Season
“My goal is for Real Madrid to win every match it plays. The responsibility is to go out and win every game. For us, the six matches ahead are fundamental, regardless of what happens in La Liga. We have to make a huge effort. We know what the future holds in the coming months for the players. But I’ve told them to focus only on Real Madrid. We must not only be very responsible and respectful of the badge but also of ourselves. That means giving one hundred percent until the very last day.”

Vini Jr.'s Gesture in His Celebration
“You’ll have to ask him if you get the chance. He is ready to play tomorrow; he will be in the starting lineup. I feel privileged to have him on the team, and I’m sure he’ll have a great match and performance tomorrow, as he always does.”

What Do You Ask of Your Players?
“In football, the emotional, mental, and physical aspects, as well as tactics, are all important. To win today, you have to be at a very high level in all these areas. It’s important after this week to focus on everything we need to improve and to go out and give one hundred percent. That’s all I ask of them: that when the match is over, we look back and feel that we’ve given everything we had, that we’ve done our best for an idea and for the team. That must also be the goal for tomorrow.”

Self-Demand
“It won’t be the only reason we haven’t won matches. It’s always largely my responsibility. I can’t attribute it solely to self-demand. To win a game, you have to do many things well. Besides having great self-demand, you need to be well-prepared tactically and technically at all levels. There are many things we need to correct and improve to be capable of competing for the title.”

Militão
“We’re going to do an MRI now. From what we saw yesterday, it doesn’t seem serious, and it could just be a scare, but we’ll wait for the test results. In a little while, we’ll know exactly the extent of what he has. It doesn’t seem serious.”

Academy Players
“The academy players have helped us a lot in situations where we’ve needed them. The academy is doing very well. They are doing a great job, as we saw the other day with the Youth League. The performance of all the academy teams, Castilla and its position... The players have shown they can help the first team. For me, it’s one of the most positive aspects of the year. My confidence in them will always remain intact.”

Do You Understand That Players Might Think About the World Cup?
“I wouldn’t understand it. I don’t, and when I don’t, I want to lead by example. That’s what I’m demanding from my players. We have to give our all because we are Real Madrid players, and that won’t stop anyone from being able to go to the World Cup. Our requirement is to win these six matches. I would love to see that commitment from all of them, and I’m sure it will be there.”

Mbappé’s ‘Like’ on a Post About Mourinho
“These are things I don’t even consider. It doesn’t bother me if he gives a like to Mourinho, Julia Roberts, or anyone else. These things don’t have the slightest importance.”

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