Arbeloa: "The Bernabéu will experience another great Champions League night"
"We know the challenge Bayern presents on the field and the history we have with this team, which is special," explained our coach.
Álvaro Arbeloa spoke in the press room of the Ciudad Real Madrid ahead of the match against Bayern Munich, corresponding to the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals (9:00 pm CEST; Orange TV and Movistar Liga de Campeones). Our coach analyzed the game: “I want to see a Real Madrid that has always stepped up against great rivals, like the one we will face tomorrow. A Bayern Munich team that is having an exceptional season on all levels of play."
"In terms of results, it is likely to be the most consistent team in Europe so far this season. We know the challenge they will pose on the field and the history we have with Bayern Munich, which is always special for us. The Bernabéu will experience another great Champions League night, like the one we had against Manchester City. I'm sure it will be repeated tomorrow.”
Mbappé
“It's clear that Mbappé has different skills and characteristics compared to Brahim, and because of that, we have to play in a different way. I'm delighted to have this kind of problem, to have great players at my disposal and a player like Kylian Mbappé, who has come to Real Madrid for matches like tomorrow's and knockout rounds like this one. I'm sure we will see Kylian performing at his best level and leading the team, as he always knows how to do. I have great confidence in all the players. Just as you mention Bellingham, I have outstanding players at my disposal. It's a privilege to have them and not face situations where we have ten or eleven players out, as has happened many times.”
Pressure of not winning the knockout round
“We're not thinking about not winning the knockout round. I understand that you need to analyze all scenarios. For us, there's only one possible scenario: to beat Bayern Munich and advance in the knockout round. That's our sole focus, the only thing we believe in, and the only thing we want.”
Does the team lose balance with Mbappé?
“A lot of opinions might reach me, but the only thing that matters is what I think. Having a player like Mbappé in the team is an extraordinary privilege. I don't know if there's any coach in the world who wouldn't want him. I put myself in the shoes of the defenders who play against Real Madrid, having to face Mbappé, Vinicius, Valverde, or Bellingham, who are among the best players on the planet and have earned that recognition through their performances. It's a privilege as a coach to have them.”
Collective effort
“I've also said many times that to win any football match, you don't just need to do one thing well; you need to do many things well in all phases of the game, both with and without the ball. You have to be a very complete team, excelling in every detail, including set pieces, to be a great team. You need to be very cohesive and, above all, have that collective mentality, which is likely the aspect I've been emphasizing the most to the players. Individually, we have some of the best players in the world, and we must also be capable of being the best team in the world. Talent is very important because, in the end, it makes the difference, but above all, it must be put at the service of the team.”
Does Mbappé understand what Real Madrid is?
“Mbappé knows perfectly well what Real Madrid is; I have no doubt about that. He's someone who has dreamed of being a Real Madrid player. We've all seen images of Kylian Mbappé wearing the Real Madrid jersey, dreaming of becoming a Real Madrid player. What he has done to come here wasn't easy. I would like you to ask me this after the knockout round against Bayern.”
Enjoy all the videos of this match on RM Play
Just one draw managing Castilla and the first team
“It's an interesting statistic. My mentality is the mentality of Real Madrid, which is to win. As many people and coaches say: when you can't win, you need to know how to draw, but I always think about how we can win. There have been several matches where we've conceded in the final minutes, perhaps due to that eagerness to win, but this is Real Madrid, and you have to try to win always and in every minute.”
Locker room attitude after a loss
“It's a locker room like any other when there's a loss. Perhaps it hurts more because if there's one club where losing is not acceptable, it's Real Madrid. The other day, many players were hurt. I went in for five seconds to tell them we didn't have time to dwell on what had happened—we'll have time for that—but our focus had to be on tomorrow's match. That's what we've been trying to do since the Mallorca match ended, and it's the only thing we are thinking about: winning tomorrow. That has to be our entire focus; we need to put all our energy into the match we have against a rival performing at a high level. All our efforts and energy are directed toward thinking about the Bayern match.”
Alerts for tomorrow's match
“These are different matches and contexts. The players know perfectly well the match they have ahead tomorrow. I don't need to warn them about anything. As usual, we've analyzed Bayern and what they do on the field. We need to be prepared to counter what they're going to do and execute our plans against them. It's a quarterfinal against a team with which we have a great history and with a Bernabéu that will be fully charged. I think we are all aware.”
Bellingham's role
“With Bellingham on the field, the difference is that we are a better team. I'm convinced of that. We'll surely see it tomorrow on the field because he's a player who contributes a lot to us. I've already talked many times about his leadership, but also about his qualities as a footballer. He has different qualities compared to his teammates, and when he's on the field, we need to know how to adapt—both him to his teammates and his teammates to him. That's what football is about: having those connections and relationships among players and putting your talent at the service of the team. It's a wonderful problem to have to integrate Bellingham into the team.”
Alaba
“For me, it's a privilege to have a player like David Alaba in the team, given his history and what he has represented, not just here but throughout his career as a footballer at Bayern and in his country. It's a privilege for him to be in this club. It's a great opportunity for all his teammates to experience having a player like him. With me, he's had matches where he's helped us a lot. A player is very important, no matter what role they play, and I'm convinced of that. With David, it's an even more special case. He has an incredible ability to embody all the values a footballer of his caliber should have. His future will depend on both him and Real Madrid, but for me as a coach, it's a privilege to have him in this group, to be able to help him, and, above all, for him to help us."
Mbappé
“It's clear that Mbappé has different skills and characteristics compared to Brahim, and because of that, we have to play in a different way. I'm delighted to have this kind of problem, to have great players at my disposal and a player like Kylian Mbappé, who has come to Real Madrid for matches like tomorrow's and knockout rounds like this one. I'm sure we will see Kylian performing at his best level and leading the team, as he always knows how to do. I have great confidence in all the players. Just as you mention Bellingham, I have outstanding players at my disposal. It's a privilege to have them and not face situations where we have ten or eleven players out, as has happened many times.”
Pressure of not winning the knockout round
“We're not thinking about not winning the knockout round. I understand that you need to analyze all scenarios. For us, there's only one possible scenario: to beat Bayern Munich and advance in the knockout round. That's our sole focus, the only thing we believe in, and the only thing we want.”
Does the team lose balance with Mbappé?
“A lot of opinions might reach me, but the only thing that matters is what I think. Having a player like Mbappé in the team is an extraordinary privilege. I don't know if there's any coach in the world who wouldn't want him. I put myself in the shoes of the defenders who play against Real Madrid, having to face Mbappé, Vinicius, Valverde, or Bellingham, who are among the best players on the planet and have earned that recognition through their performances. It's a privilege as a coach to have them.”
Collective effort
“I've also said many times that to win any football match, you don't just need to do one thing well; you need to do many things well in all phases of the game, both with and without the ball. You have to be a very complete team, excelling in every detail, including set pieces, to be a great team. You need to be very cohesive and, above all, have that collective mentality, which is likely the aspect I've been emphasizing the most to the players. Individually, we have some of the best players in the world, and we must also be capable of being the best team in the world. Talent is very important because, in the end, it makes the difference, but above all, it must be put at the service of the team.”
Does Mbappé understand what Real Madrid is?
“Mbappé knows perfectly well what Real Madrid is; I have no doubt about that. He's someone who has dreamed of being a Real Madrid player. We've all seen images of Kylian Mbappé wearing the Real Madrid jersey, dreaming of becoming a Real Madrid player. What he has done to come here wasn't easy. I would like you to ask me this after the knockout round against Bayern.”
Enjoy all the videos of this match on RM Play
Just one draw managing Castilla and the first team
“It's an interesting statistic. My mentality is the mentality of Real Madrid, which is to win. As many people and coaches say: when you can't win, you need to know how to draw, but I always think about how we can win. There have been several matches where we've conceded in the final minutes, perhaps due to that eagerness to win, but this is Real Madrid, and you have to try to win always and in every minute.”
Locker room attitude after a loss
“It's a locker room like any other when there's a loss. Perhaps it hurts more because if there's one club where losing is not acceptable, it's Real Madrid. The other day, many players were hurt. I went in for five seconds to tell them we didn't have time to dwell on what had happened—we'll have time for that—but our focus had to be on tomorrow's match. That's what we've been trying to do since the Mallorca match ended, and it's the only thing we are thinking about: winning tomorrow. That has to be our entire focus; we need to put all our energy into the match we have against a rival performing at a high level. All our efforts and energy are directed toward thinking about the Bayern match.”
Alerts for tomorrow's match
“These are different matches and contexts. The players know perfectly well the match they have ahead tomorrow. I don't need to warn them about anything. As usual, we've analyzed Bayern and what they do on the field. We need to be prepared to counter what they're going to do and execute our plans against them. It's a quarterfinal against a team with which we have a great history and with a Bernabéu that will be fully charged. I think we are all aware.”
Bellingham's role
“With Bellingham on the field, the difference is that we are a better team. I'm convinced of that. We'll surely see it tomorrow on the field because he's a player who contributes a lot to us. I've already talked many times about his leadership, but also about his qualities as a footballer. He has different qualities compared to his teammates, and when he's on the field, we need to know how to adapt—both him to his teammates and his teammates to him. That's what football is about: having those connections and relationships among players and putting your talent at the service of the team. It's a wonderful problem to have to integrate Bellingham into the team.”
Alaba
“For me, it's a privilege to have a player like David Alaba in the team, given his history and what he has represented, not just here but throughout his career as a footballer at Bayern and in his country. It's a privilege for him to be in this club. It's a great opportunity for all his teammates to experience having a player like him. With me, he's had matches where he's helped us a lot. A player is very important, no matter what role they play, and I'm convinced of that. With David, it's an even more special case. He has an incredible ability to embody all the values a footballer of his caliber should have. His future will depend on both him and Real Madrid, but for me as a coach, it's a privilege to have him in this group, to be able to help him, and, above all, for him to help us."
The Bayern's playing style
“They are a very well-drilled team. You can quickly identify their style, all their playing patterns, and how well they connect with each other. They are a team that is very aggressive in the defensive phase: they mark man-to-man, press very high with any of their players, and are fearless. They are very brave, they match up a lot, and this leads to situations where you see all ten players retreat across the pitch at an incredible speed".
"You notice the intensity at which they play and the pace they set. With the ball, they can lead you into situations with their wide players who have tremendous talent. They have a forward like Harry Kane who is capable of dropping deep to receive and moving the team. They are a very complete team with many weapons to hurt their opponents and score as many goals as they are doing. Defensively, they are extremely committed. It's clear that all the good references about Kompany are well-deserved because he is doing a tremendous job at Bayern Munich.”
Do you consider yourself a managerial or tactical coach?
“I don't label myself; you can place me wherever you want. My main obsession is preparing my teams for what they will face on the pitch. That’s what I live for every day: for them to know what will happen, what the opponent will do, how we must respond, and how we must play. It’s also about bringing out the best version of each player. At a club like this, you must understand the player very well. I am aware that having a strong personal connection with the players helps them bring out all their talent. A coach must be capable of doing everything. A great coach is one who manages well, works well, and ensures their teams have an identity, so when you see them, they have a defined style. That’s what can be said of any great coach.”
How do you manage having several players on the brink of suspension?
“It's not necessary. They know they’re on the brink of suspension, but tomorrow's match will be on the edge, and if they have to take a card for the good of the team, they'll do it. They are very experienced players. We've played several matches with many players on the brink of suspension, and we've managed to get through them without anyone receiving that yellow card. We hope that tomorrow will be another opportunity where none of them receive that yellow card.”
Disclaimer: Translation generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies.