Arbeloa: "The players deserve it for how they are working and their effort"
"It was a great tie, allowing us to advance to the next round," highlighted our coach.
Álvaro Arbeloa appeared before the media in the press room at the Etihad Stadium after the second-leg match against City. Our coach analyzed the victory and the qualification for the quarter-finals: “It’s the players who have turned this situation around with their performance, attitude, effort, talent, and quality. Winning as we have today is not easy in such a challenging tie against a team like this, with so many talented players, a deep squad, and a coach like the one we faced. Very few people would have said that we would win both matches, so thanks to the players’ work, they deserve it for how they are working and the effort they are putting in.”
“I don’t think it has been anything different from what I’ve been doing these past two months, which is working and trying to get the best performance out of my players, ensuring they feel comfortable on the pitch, finding the best position for each one, being a very balanced and united team, and having everyone sacrifice and work together. The players have perfectly understood that to defeat anyone, we must be a great team, very united in effort and work.”
Collective Work
“They have the talent, and adding that talent to a collective mentality to be clear about what needed to be done with the ball is very important for us. They have done well and understood it well. It was a great tie, allowing us to be in the next round and nothing more. Happy with the performance but knowing this continues, and after the next setback, doubts will surely arise again—not from us, but externally, which is something we can’t control. We are very focused on how we are working internally, and that’s what’s important.”
The Future in This Champions League
“The Champions League is special for Real Madrid, and we’ve faced one of the best in Europe. And then Bayern and perhaps PSG later. If we want to win them, we have to play like tonight and as we did six days ago. We’ve had some luck in these two matches, but we deserved to win both. The aggregate score of 5-1 says it all. We have to keep moving forward, and surely we’ll face Bayern.”
Do you see this as a tactical victory over Guardiola?
“I don’t see it that way. I wouldn’t dare say I could win anything against a coach like Guardiola, who has almost 1,000 games at the elite level and the trophies he’s won. He’s also been with some of the best teams in Europe, and if we’ve won the tie, it’s thanks to the players’ work. As a coach, you always analyze the opponent and see how you can hurt them. But as I said a week ago, when we try to implement the game plan, everything is easier, and victories like this happen. I hope this strengthens us as a group, and as a coach, I’m very happy not for myself but for my players because they deserve the recognition for their effort in a situation that hasn’t been easy for us with so many important absences. They are doing it, being a great team and a family, which is one of Real Madrid’s keys every time it becomes champion.”
Eliminating Mourinho and Guardiola
“That says I have players who are amazing. Two months ago, I wouldn’t have believed I’d be where I am.”
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Courtois and Mbappé
“Courtois had some discomfort and wanted to continue, but it wasn’t necessary to take any risks because in four days we have another final: a very important derby and a very challenging match. The good thing is also having a goalkeeper like Lunin, who has been frankly good in the second half and has been solid. From here, I want to congratulate him because what he does every time he gets the opportunity to defend Real Madrid’s goal isn’t easy. As for Mbappé, I’m very happy to see him on the pitch. I saw him fast. It seemed to me in that action it was a penalty and that he started very well. He’s had very good sensations, and we’ll see what we do by Sunday.”
Bayern in the Quarter-Finals
“We have to wait until tomorrow, but it looks like they will qualify, and they are one of the most in-form teams in Europe for how they are playing football, the level they are showing both in the League and the Champions. It will be as difficult as this tie, knowing we have the return match in Munich. Let’s focus first on Atlético, then Mallorca, and when Bayern arrives, with the same mentality we’ve faced this tie.”
The Return of Injured Players
“If there’s something we need to take away from these last matches, it’s that this is the path, no matter who is on the pitch. I’m not just talking about the Champions but also the League. We’ve already experienced that when we’re not 100% as a team, as a unit, anyone can beat us. We’re aware that we are Real Madrid, but nowadays, you have to fight and sacrifice to beat anyone. Moreover, this crest and this jersey demand that we give everything on the pitch as these players have done today.”
Huijsen’s Performance
“It’s been as good as the rest of his teammates individually, and I’m very happy with how well he’s doing.”
What have you learned since coaching Real Madrid?
“I could write you a book if you want, but every day at Real Madrid is a learning experience, and for me, even more so. I’m getting to know my team, my players, and seeing how to get the best performance out of all of them. Making them understand how important it is to be a great team and that without effort, there’s no reward. Surely I have much more to learn, and hopefully, it will be while winning.”
Arda Güler
“We knew they would come out pressing the first 15 minutes and that we needed to hold onto the ball more, but players like Güler, Huijsen, and Thiago had a positive impact and gained experience in these types of matches. I’m very happy. Now we have to face Bayern with confidence.”
Disclaimer: Translation generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies.