The coach of Real Madrid, Alvaro Arbeloahas highlighted how “complicated” it is to maintain the level shown against Manchester City. “You have to ensure that the self-demand that we have as a team is equal to the motivation of the other day. The emotional and motivational aspect is difficult to match when a special match arrives. That is why it is so important and so difficult to be a Real Madrid player. We are playing in the league and we know that it is a very important match,” he analyzed.
Regarding the physical level, the white coach praised having a “very committed” team. “We are Real Madrid and the players have to be able to give their best version every three days and go back to running, fighting and working as always. If we go back to being a great team like we were last Wednesday with that mentality and that camaraderie, we can win any game and that has to be our goal every day. Tomorrow we are going to put out the best team to beat Elche, I don’t think about anything else,” he expressed.
“Football is not only explained physically“
A City game that not only focuses on the physical display: “Football is not only explained physically, but also tactically, quality and mentality. I want to see a team with the mentality of the other daywith a lot of help, working for teammates, with sacrifice and fighting for every ball. When all the players left the field, they looked back and saw that they had left everything. It is the DNA of Real Madrid.”
The Salamancan technician has commented that They trust that Kylian Mbappé “will be ready to travel to Manchester” and that his progress from the injury “is good” and he also hoped that he would be available for the league derby against Atlético de Madrid on the next day.
“The evolution that is taking place is good, in reference to the plan we made when we decided to stop. We made a planning which also depended a lot on his daily evolution, but I see him very well, he won’t be here for tomorrow. But we trust that he will be able to travel to Manchester,” said the Real Madrid coach in the press conference prior to the league match against Elche at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Arbeloa stressed that his wish is for him to be able to travel to Manchester. “We are going to see how he feels tomorrow and especially on Sunday, when we will make a final decision. I hope he is there and I hope he can be against Atlético de Madrid. Then, whatever has to be with France we will address it when that moment comes,” he explained.
Regarding the praise for his figure, the world champion with Spain said that “I don’t swim in flattery” and that he knows that the next setback he has will be “looked at with doubts again.” “Criticism is inherent to this chair. People who have won several Champions Leagues in a row or have won many titles have taken with them a lot of criticism, which for me is incomprehensible at many times. But this is what this position is about,” he recalled.
“Courtois is the best goalkeeper in the history of Real Madrid”
The former Castilla coach once again highlighted the figure of Thibaut Courtois, for him “the best goalkeeper in the history of Real Madrid.” “I haven’t seen what Courtois is doing from anyone. I said it the other day and I maintain it forever. Now there is no debate with any goalkeeper“he stressed.
Finally, regarding the great role of the youth players, Arbeloa urged them to “continue working” with the same “humility” and knowing that they are “in a moment of growth.” “They have to take advantage of the opportunities that exist. They are doing very well but they do not have to lose that mentality that has brought them here,” he evoked.
“Everyone agrees on the great version that Thiago is giving, and for now, he stays here. Just like many of them like Manuel Ángel, who is contributing a lot when he came out. He is not going to have problems being an elite player. He is a player with exceptional self-confidence, ambidextrous, he comes out from both sides, with a lot of technical quality and one of my right eyes,” he personified.
