Carreras: “We're here for the three points and to play our game”

Álvaro Carreras spoke to the media in the press room at the Estadio da Luz the day before the Champions League game against Benfica (9 pm CET): "We know it's going to be a very important game for them and for us. We both need the win. The atmosphere is going to be great, for sure, but we're here to get the three points. We need to play our game, as we've been doing in recent games, and that's how we'll get the three points, for sure."

“Arbeloa has a clear idea, we should be ourselves, we should enjoy possession of the ball, all the players have a lot of talent, we should run together, we should be together in bad moments when it's time to defend and we're not so comfortable without the ball running behind. We need to enjoy ourselves, we need to enjoy the ball, we need to play our football, we need to go from side to side because then the spaces and the depth will appear.”

Has there been a change in attitude from the players?
"We knew that against Villarreal it was going to be a tough game and we had to press from the first moment. Even the first half was no big deal, but in the second half we came out very well, very focused, very united and that's where the first goal came from quickly. We are all committed, we all want to move forward, we want to win the remaining trophies this season and the best for the club and the team."

You are returning to a stadium you know very well. Have you spoken to your former teammates?
"I spoke to a lot of them. I have a very good relationship with many, I could even go as far as to say friends, that football gave me. I'm glad that Manu is back after the injury, that many are getting a lot of minutes like my friend Prestianni and many more. I hope to see them tomorrow, but after the game we'll talk better than on the pitch."
 
"I wish them all the best. I didn't leave long ago but I still have a very close relationship with the players and the board. I wish them all the best, to keep fighting. Last year and the year before we had to suffer as well. We know it's a very demanding club, the best in Portugal. I wish them all the best and I'm sure everything will go well for them."

Did you expect so much prominence at Real Madrid as soon as you arrived?
"In the end you arrive at a new place, with the joy and excitement of a young player who gets to play for the best club in the world. I came to give everything as I said from the first day. With the confidence and these players by my side, it's very easy to play. I have no words to describe the situation I'm in, because it's a dream to play alongside all these players with so much talent every day and to live together. You learn a lot and they teach you a lot. I was confident that everything would go well, I was confident that I had the level to take this big step of coming to Madrid and to fulfil the task of getting a lot of minutes and defending the badge well."

Do you have the feeling from inside the dressing room that the team is being ‘killed’ too quickly?
"I have the feeling that I can play for the biggest club in Spain and the world but I also played for the best team in Portugal. The pressure is a daily thing, but I like the pressure and I feel good. I don't know if it kills you, but you have to have pressure because otherwise you wouldn't be that club that every fan sees from the outside."

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What do you expect from Benfica?
"I've experienced some great Champions League nights at the Estadio da Luz. I know they will go out with everything because they need the win. They're in a difficult situation but they'll go out for the win and I hope it's a good night for both teams and that we can have a good game.”
 
Do you feel you are at your best going into this game?
"Football is one game at a time. We can arrive in a very good moment after a very important victory in Villarreal. But if something bad were to happen tomorrow, it would be the worst of Madrid again. Tomorrow we have to go out, win, play a good game and then we go back to LaLiga and play at home, we have an important game at the weekend."

Would you like to be coached by Mourinho in the future?
"I would like to because he is a coach who is a legend and has been in many teams and knows a lot about football, but just as I was with Bruno Lage very well and with Smith too. Now I'm very happy with Arbeloa and I'm very happy and I wish Mourinho all the best.”