Arbeloa: “The derby is very important, and we approach it with maximum enthusiasm”
“It’s one of the best matches you can experience, and we’re eager to see a Bernabéu fully committed,” added our coach.
Álvaro Arbeloa spoke in the press room of the Ciudad Real Madrid and analyzed the derby of matchday 29 of LaLiga, which will take place at the Bernabéu (Sunday, 9:00 pm CEST; Orange TV and Movistar LaLiga): “We approach it with great enthusiasm and excitement. We know it’s a very important match for us because of what these three points mean, for the fans, for the great atmosphere we’ve been experiencing in the stadium in recent matches, and for the excitement that has been created. It’s one of the best matches you can experience as a player, as a spectator, and surely also as a coach. We’re eager to see a Bernabéu fully committed and are very excited as we come into this match with a strong desire to play against a fantastic team. We approach it with maximum enthusiasm and anticipation.”
“I focus on my team, and it’s a privilege to face coaches like Diego Simeone, who has spent many years at Atlético demonstrating his quality as a coach, his talent, where he’s taken them, the consistency he’s maintained, and the level he’s brought Atlético back to. It’s a privilege because he’s the kind of coach who pushes you to your limits, demands the maximum, and makes you think deeply about the matches. It’s an honor to face the best coaches in the world.”
Courtois’ injury
“Every time a player steps onto the pitch, there’s a risk. There are many things people don’t know, but very few players take the field at 100%, without discomfort or pain. It’s normal in competitive football. When halftime came, Courtois wanted to keep playing, but I decided to stop him also because of the utmost confidence I have in Lunin. He has already shown many times what a great goalkeeper he is. I am sure he will prove it again with this great opportunity.”
“It’s the privilege of having a squad like this. The best goalkeeper in history gets injured, and we have another outstanding goalkeeper who will once again show how good he is. We haven’t set a timeline for Courtois’ recovery. These two weeks of break will help us a lot, and we’ll see afterward, but right now, there’s no timeline set.”
The Return of Mbappé
“I told you that the day I returned, it would be because I was at 100%. I proved it in Manchester. The key is the sensations: how he felt and how he feels in training. Maximum confidence, maximum guarantees, and maximum excitement to have back such a decisive player as him.”
“I'll tell you the same thing. He is already available and will be in the squad tomorrow. We'll see if he plays, but I think he will. He's ready, and I can't wait to see him on the pitch. From there, it's normal for him to join his national team. He's a very intelligent player and knows particularly well what to do at every moment and in the situation he is in. I'm very happy that he is available tomorrow and prepared to help us.” “What doesn't depend on me, I don't overthink. It's normal for players like Bellingham or Mbappé to join their national teams. I can't expect them not to go. They are very important players for me as the coach of Real Madrid, and I have them every day, and I understand that they are also important for their national coaches, who have the World Cup in a few months. I also had the privilege of representing my country, and I know the pride one feels when representing their nation and the responsibility that comes with it. I completely understand this situation, and there is no problem because they are two very intelligent players; they know how important they are to their countries and clubs, and I expect them back in a few days.” Does Bellingham's Return Mean Thiago Leaves the Starting Eleven?
“When we reach that point, we’ll address it. Having Bellingham back is excellent news, and having Thiago deliver this level of performance is also great. It's a wonderful problem to have to choose between great players, and they can play together. Just because Bellingham plays doesn't mean Thiago has to stop playing.” Will the Style of Play Change with the Return of Players like Bellingham or Mbappé?
“This is a collective effort, and the players must understand what they have grasped in recent matches. We all attack, and we all defend. As a coach, my job is to help each player find their best role, make them function together, and provide them with the mobility and space they need to showcase their talent.” “When we don't have the ball, there’s no other choice but for all eleven to work. If we don’t do this, it doesn’t matter who the opponent is; we will struggle. Moving together when we advance and moving together when we retreat—that’s having a collective mentality. I don’t see any problem with having outstanding players. If it’s a problem, it’s a good problem, and it’s up to me to make them understand their role in the team and put all their talent at the service of the collective.” Teamwork
“We work collectively, and depending on the player on the field, there will be adjustments. It’s not the same to play with Brahim up front as with Mbappé, or with Jude compared to Arda or Thiago. They are players with different characteristics, and when they are on the pitch, we will try to make the most of them. Defensively, each one must fulfill their role, as they always have. It seems like Bellingham or Mbappé haven’t worked hard—they are players who have been in the elite for many years and know perfectly well what it means to work as a team and put their talent at the service of their teammates.” Rüdiger's Contract Renewal
“I don’t like to get involved in these matters. I have a lot of respect for both the club and the player, as they are the two parties that need to come to an agreement. If you ask me, I’d be willing to build a statue of Rüdiger and place it in the garden. He is a player who, from the first day I arrived, has only been at the service of the coaching staff. I remember he sat down with me and said: ‘Coach, in March, I’ll be ready for the tough moments,’ and he certainly has been...”
“It’s been fortunate that the treatment he underwent in London worked as well as it did. He is the role model all young players should look up to, and I hope madridistas recognize how lucky we are to have him in this club. He should always be appreciated for his effort, personality, character, and talent as a player. I can only say absolutely wonderful things about Don Antonio Rüdiger.” Carvajal
“I have to think about Real Madrid, and that’s what I’ve done when I’ve put him on the field or when I had him play 90 minutes against Elche. That will help him and be good for him to gain rhythm and continue helping. He also played in the matches against Manchester City, so he’s available, and as always, he’s a player whose presence goes beyond what he contributes on the pitch. He is very important. The significance of each of his messages in the locker room to his teammates helps them a lot. That’s what we need—a leader. To me, a leader is someone who leads both on and off the field. You’re either a leader everywhere, or you’re not a leader.” The Youth Academy
“You have to keep in mind that the Real Madrid squad consists of the best players in the world, and the youth academy has shown that it not only can help but has also delivered a high level in very challenging situations for the first team, and it will surely do so again. We have many matches ahead, with a very tight schedule. Thiago, Manuel Ángel, who did exceptionally well in the minutes he played against Manchester City, Palacios, whose talent we’ve already seen, Aguago, and Yáñez, who played for a bit the other day... It’s important, and it goes beyond a philosophy or belief in the youth academy.”
The Return of Mbappé
“I told you that the day I returned, it would be because I was at 100%. I proved it in Manchester. The key is the sensations: how he felt and how he feels in training. Maximum confidence, maximum guarantees, and maximum excitement to have back such a decisive player as him.”
“I'll tell you the same thing. He is already available and will be in the squad tomorrow. We'll see if he plays, but I think he will. He's ready, and I can't wait to see him on the pitch. From there, it's normal for him to join his national team. He's a very intelligent player and knows particularly well what to do at every moment and in the situation he is in. I'm very happy that he is available tomorrow and prepared to help us.” “What doesn't depend on me, I don't overthink. It's normal for players like Bellingham or Mbappé to join their national teams. I can't expect them not to go. They are very important players for me as the coach of Real Madrid, and I have them every day, and I understand that they are also important for their national coaches, who have the World Cup in a few months. I also had the privilege of representing my country, and I know the pride one feels when representing their nation and the responsibility that comes with it. I completely understand this situation, and there is no problem because they are two very intelligent players; they know how important they are to their countries and clubs, and I expect them back in a few days.” Does Bellingham's Return Mean Thiago Leaves the Starting Eleven?
“When we reach that point, we’ll address it. Having Bellingham back is excellent news, and having Thiago deliver this level of performance is also great. It's a wonderful problem to have to choose between great players, and they can play together. Just because Bellingham plays doesn't mean Thiago has to stop playing.” Will the Style of Play Change with the Return of Players like Bellingham or Mbappé?
“This is a collective effort, and the players must understand what they have grasped in recent matches. We all attack, and we all defend. As a coach, my job is to help each player find their best role, make them function together, and provide them with the mobility and space they need to showcase their talent.” “When we don't have the ball, there’s no other choice but for all eleven to work. If we don’t do this, it doesn’t matter who the opponent is; we will struggle. Moving together when we advance and moving together when we retreat—that’s having a collective mentality. I don’t see any problem with having outstanding players. If it’s a problem, it’s a good problem, and it’s up to me to make them understand their role in the team and put all their talent at the service of the collective.” Teamwork
“We work collectively, and depending on the player on the field, there will be adjustments. It’s not the same to play with Brahim up front as with Mbappé, or with Jude compared to Arda or Thiago. They are players with different characteristics, and when they are on the pitch, we will try to make the most of them. Defensively, each one must fulfill their role, as they always have. It seems like Bellingham or Mbappé haven’t worked hard—they are players who have been in the elite for many years and know perfectly well what it means to work as a team and put their talent at the service of their teammates.” Rüdiger's Contract Renewal
“I don’t like to get involved in these matters. I have a lot of respect for both the club and the player, as they are the two parties that need to come to an agreement. If you ask me, I’d be willing to build a statue of Rüdiger and place it in the garden. He is a player who, from the first day I arrived, has only been at the service of the coaching staff. I remember he sat down with me and said: ‘Coach, in March, I’ll be ready for the tough moments,’ and he certainly has been...”
“It’s been fortunate that the treatment he underwent in London worked as well as it did. He is the role model all young players should look up to, and I hope madridistas recognize how lucky we are to have him in this club. He should always be appreciated for his effort, personality, character, and talent as a player. I can only say absolutely wonderful things about Don Antonio Rüdiger.” Carvajal
“I have to think about Real Madrid, and that’s what I’ve done when I’ve put him on the field or when I had him play 90 minutes against Elche. That will help him and be good for him to gain rhythm and continue helping. He also played in the matches against Manchester City, so he’s available, and as always, he’s a player whose presence goes beyond what he contributes on the pitch. He is very important. The significance of each of his messages in the locker room to his teammates helps them a lot. That’s what we need—a leader. To me, a leader is someone who leads both on and off the field. You’re either a leader everywhere, or you’re not a leader.” The Youth Academy
“You have to keep in mind that the Real Madrid squad consists of the best players in the world, and the youth academy has shown that it not only can help but has also delivered a high level in very challenging situations for the first team, and it will surely do so again. We have many matches ahead, with a very tight schedule. Thiago, Manuel Ángel, who did exceptionally well in the minutes he played against Manchester City, Palacios, whose talent we’ve already seen, Aguago, and Yáñez, who played for a bit the other day... It’s important, and it goes beyond a philosophy or belief in the youth academy.” "What I do is believe in the players. I know them very well and understand the potential they have and what they can offer and contribute. When we recover all the players, I’ll have more options to choose from, and from there we’ll see. The important thing is for the team to win and for the academy players to be ready when opportunities arise.”
The partnerships between the forwards
“There are natural partnerships and players who connect very well and have a lot of chemistry both on and off the field. For the coach, it’s a task to ensure that great players know how to combine well and adapt. I’m fortunate to have a fantastic dressing room. Among the attacking players, they get along very well, understand each other very well, and are very intelligent players. I haven’t had to work much in that aspect because they do it very well. When you have players with such talent, who also share such a special relationship like our players, everything becomes easier.” Enjoy all the videos from this match on RM Play
Disclaimer: Translation generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies.