Arbeloa: "It was a great night for the Bernabéu and for the Real Madrid players"
"Vini Jr. deserves the embrace of all his teammates and the ovation he received from the stadium," our coach said.
Álvaro Arbeloa spoke to the media in the Bernabéu press room after the victory over Monaco on matchday seven of the Champions League. The coach said: “It's a night on which the Bernabéu has shown that when they are with their team Real Madrid are better. When the Bernabéu is on our side we're a great team and on all big nights it doesn't matter who the players are. What we have always had in common has been a great crowd. Many of us have experienced it and even some of our players when they visited the Bernabéu and played for the other team. We need a Bernabéu that is on our side. We know that the demand is great. We know that we have to be the first to play like we did today, to work hard and to be brilliant. I'm very happy for a great night for the Bernabéu crowd and for the Real Madrid players.”
“I saw how much the Bernabéu was devoted to Vini Jr, to his players, to Kylian, to Jude and to everyone. They put in a huge effort and not only played a great game with the ball, goals and great plays, but also a huge effort. Bellingham's running was absolutely unbelievable. Franco, Arda, the youngsters... Fede and Cama playing in positions that are not their natural positions and the effort they put in. As a coach, I'm very happy that they put the team before their personal interests and that's what we need: a committed team. I'm also very happy for those who came on in the second half, for Dani and to see him on the pitch again; for Fran, for Meso's debut. It was a great night for everyone.”
Praise for Vini Jr.
“Vini Jr. is unstoppable when this stadium is with him and the most dangerous player there is. We need Vini Jr. if we want to fight for all the trophies. I'm very happy for him because he deserves it and deserves the embrace from all the teammates and the ovation he got from the Bernabéu. The hug he gave me was for the whole of Madridismo. It wasn't a hug for the coach but for all the people who have supported him, who have been with him and who have shown their support in difficult moments. It has been a great night for Vini Jr. and for the whole Bernabéu."
Focussed and happy
"We need him at 100%. He's going to be a very important player and I need him to be happy, focused on his game and to enjoy it. He knows he has all my faith in him to show his football and the freedom and almost the obligation to bring out all the magic he has. I've seen the crowd really get behind him, supporting him and chanting his name, even when he almost scored a goal, they applauded him. He needs to feel loved by his people and his fans. He came here very young and he is very emotional. For all of us who have been there and the fans have made demands on us, it's never easy. The Bernabéu crowd, if I could define it in one word, it's fair and we have seen a crowd that has rewarded the effort of the players, the goals they have scored, the plays, the sacrifice, the mentality... It was up to us to turn the situation around and there's no better way than the way the players have done it.”
The squad's hard work
"I think that if I had left the dressing room and gone to the right-hand bench, the result would have been the same. This is a victory for the players, for their talent, for the desire they are putting in, the effort, the attitude, the mentality. It's about the lads. I'm sure that's clear to me. The credit and the medals go to all of them and to the Bernabéu crowd because without this support and without this atmosphere, it's impossible to play like this. If we want to be in the running for something, we need them because every time Real Madrid have been great, it's been with a great Bernabéu."
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"There are a lot of games left and this week I have had more press conferences than training sessions. I miss having more time to work with the players. They're very good and they're helping an inexperienced coach a lot. This attitude, this mentality and the attitude they have shown today is Real Madrid. Real Madrid goes beyond styles and tactical concepts, it is above all about character, mentality, ambition and effort. That's Real Madrid and that's the first step we have to take".
Are they favourites to win the Champions League?
"Real Madrid are always favourites for everything. This is their competition. There are some great teams and there is still a world left, but this is Real Madrid and they will always be favourites in this competition."
Camavinga
“The first half the other day was bad for everyone and the first half was bad for me. If I had been able to, I would have changed the 11 players and the first one, the coach. When I make changes, I don't point the finger at anyone, I only make decisions for the good of the team. Many times you do it, looking for a different profile, energy and many reasons. Eduardo is a great football player and I'm not going to discover that now. He can play in different positions. The full-backs usually go inside and with the ball he will feel more comfortable than a normal full-back and defensively he has an exceptional physique and great abilities. I want to thank him, as well as Fede, for the effort they are making playing in a different position and putting all their qualities at the service of the team.”
The work of the forwards
"Whenever the team is together and high up, they're the first ones to press, depending also on the opponents and the position of the team and the block. Both Vini Jr. and Kylian are doing a great job and we also want them to be fresh to attack. I don't want two strikers going down to chase the full-backs or the midfielders. I want them to do a good job and I want to see a team that runs together, but that both can be fresh to make the difference like they did today."
Ten years ago the Castilla coach took over the team and won the Champions League
"What happened at that time was historic and in the Champions League era it has never been achieved before. What Zidane did was exceptional and difficult to repeat, not only for Madrid. We're going to fight for everything this year. For the league, which we know that this weekend we have a very difficult game at Villarreal, but with Barcelona's slip-up we're a little bit closer. We'll go to Portugal to try to get that top-8 finish and have a February that allows us to continue improving, work and get to know each other because we've been together for a few days. I don't believe much in coincidences, only in work and enthusiasm."
How is he doing?
“Thank you for the question. I'm very well, very happy and as excited as the first day, but I'm happy for the players, for the fans, for the Madridistas, for the club and for everyone. When we have a night like this, people are happy. I want my players to enjoy themselves and I became coach to help the players with my experience and to get the best out of them. I need them to be happy, with joy and with the unity they have shown. With all that we will be able to fight for everything.”
Brahim’s return
“He had an exceptional tournament. If Morocco reached the final, it's in a very high percentage because of his tournament. I'm really looking forward to welcoming him and giving him a hug. He has shown this month and the time he has been here that he has many skills and can adapt to various positions. Tomorrow we rest and on Thursday we train. He will be with us and his teammates are looking forward to giving him a big hug and to see that unity between them makes me happy and confident for the future.”