Alvaro Arbeloa, Head Coach of Real Madrid
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Having had a disappointing end to his last visit to Lisbon, Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa will be hoping for a different outcome when his team face Benfica tomorrow in the UEFA Champions League knockout playoffs.
Los Blancos fell to a 4-2 loss against Benfica last month, which cost them a top-eight finish in the league phase, forcing to play the playoffs, with the draw pairing up them against Jose Mourinho’s men again.
Ahead of the first leg, which Real Madrid enter high on confidence after beating Real Sociedad 4-1 at the weekend, Arbeloa addressed the media in his pre-match press conference.
“We know how difficult tomorrow will be, the atmosphere here, and the pressure it always puts on us. We must give our all to win, which is the goal,” said Arbeloa, highlighting what will be key for Real Madrid to win tomorrow.
Regarding his relationship with Benfica boss Mourinho, who wished him success at Real Madrid, Arbeloa noted:
“You know we’re good friends, we wish each other the best, and we have a great relationship.”
On whether he would like to see the Portuguese tactician back at the Santiago Bernabeu in the future, the current head coach said:
“As I just answered, I can only say that I always wish Jose the best. My goal is to eliminate Benfica, obviously, and then, for him to win everything. And from there, I wish him all the best.”
Real Madrid have strung together a positive streak in La Liga, where they have won eight in a row in the Spanish top-flight. On how much percentage of credit should go to him for that run, Arbeloa replied:
“I don’t know… I don’t think in terms of percentages. Since I arrived, I’ve seen a very positive attitude from all the players, and that’s been key.
“In football, it’s much easier to be a coach than a player because it’s easier to say what needs to be done than to actually do it. So, a large part of the credit has to go to the players themselves, to their effort and hard work.
“The good results are thanks to the 20-25 players we have who prepare for every match as if it were a final. And with that mentality, that level of commitment, good results are coming. But we’re confident we can do even better.”
Regarding the level of trust he has managed to establish with the locker room since taking over last month, the Real Madrid boss said:
“They’ve welcomed me warmly from day one. The goal is the same: to work hard and win. Their willingness to receive me has been outstanding.
“Obviously, we haven’t been together very long, but I couldn’t ask for more than for them to maintain the same attitude.”
On what kind of Benfica he expects to see tomorrow, Arbeloa stated: “One team, obviously, has more individual talent. But their spirit will be very similar to what it was three weeks ago. They have a leader who sets the course, dictating how they play and compete.
“From there, there are minor differences. But it will be a very competitive, tough team. And we must be prepared.”
Alvaro Arbeloa, Head Coach of Real Madrid
Looking forward to facing Mourinho again. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
On Mourinho’s comments about how they will see a ‘wounded’ Real Madrid coming for revenge, Arbeloa noted:
“No, no, no. We always think about winning. Our goal isn’t just to eliminate Benfica, but to win the Champions League. Getting through this round isn’t about revenge, it’s about achieving our objective.”
When asked about the lessons he had learnt from the previous game against Benfica, Arbeloa replied:
“For us, it’s a new game; we’re not thinking about anything else. It’s a new game… and we want to put on a great performance. There’s no other objective than to win.”
Regarding his recent switch to playing with a bank of four midfielders and whether he felt that it made the team more solid, Arbeloa explained:
“We came from Villarreal… and that day we played without that system. The goal is always to be solid. It’s very difficult these days to play good football if you’re not solid, compact, and don’t know how to press high up the pitch.
And to do all that, you need a lot of concentration; a lot of work and training. Valverde, Camavinga, Tchouameni, and Güler are doing a fantastic job, and I don’t need to tell them anything new.
“They’re doing well, like everyone else. When a team is solid, it’s because of the work of ten players.”
Providing an update on the fitness of Kylian Mbappe, who did not play against Real Sociedad, Arbeloa said: “He’s here, he came with us. He’s going to train. And… tomorrow you’ll see if he plays or not.”
Concluding, Arbeloa was asked about how he would like the Santiago Bernabeu next week for the reverse fixture. In response, he said:
“He’s going to be greeted with a huge ovation, because Real Madrid fans are aware of everything Jose did for the club, which was giving his all and then some. So I’m sure he’ll be welcomed with a huge ovation.”
Source: AS
Eduardo Camavinga, Real Madrid player
Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images
Real Madrid square off against Benfica on Tuesday night in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout playoffs.
Having failed to finish in the top eight in the league phase, courtesy of a 4-2 defeat to Benfica on the final matchday, Los Blancos now have to go through the playoffs to qualify for the Round of 16.
And, coincidentally, they ended up being drawn against Jose Mourinho’s side, with the first leg of the playoff set to be played at Estadio da Luz tomorrow.
Real Madrid go into the game with momentum on their side following a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad in La Liga.
And ahead of the match, Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga spoke to the media, discussing the team’s mindset and mentality leading up to the blockbuster clash.
Talking about what Real Madrid need to do in order to come out on top against Benfica, Camavinga said:
“First, do it well as a team. Treat it like any other game, without changing your routines. But stay united; attack and defend together. And everything will be alright.”
On what the team must improve compared to their last visit to Lisbon which ended in a loss, the French international remarked:
“The mentality. We’re better at that now. We have to attack and defend together. We want to play a great game, because that was tough for our fans. We want to win with a sense of revenge.”
Throughout the season, there has been talk about how Real Madrid lack an organiser in midfield, someone of the ilk of Toni Kroos. On whether he too felt similarly, Camavinga said:
“Well, I don’t think so ( laughs ). We have players with those characteristics. There are many good players on the field, and that’s not what we’re focused on right now. But if you think we need it, I’ll talk to the president … and we’ll see…”
On further being asked if he saw himself being that organiser in midfield for the team, the midfielder replied:
“I am capable of doing that, I can do it. I am aware of what I can do and that now, I can do it much better. Yes, I can be that ‘organiser.'”
Eduardo Camavinga, real Madrid player
Camavinga sees himself capable of becoming Real Madrid’s ‘organiser’. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Talking about whether Real Madrid fans had seen everything he was capable of, Camavinga insisted:
“No, I think I have much more to do. I’m aware of it and I’m capable. Real Madrid fans haven’t fully seen Camavinga. Because I can give so much more.”
In recent times, there have been occasions when the Frenchman has been utilised at left-back or even on the left-wing. On whether he felt comfortable in those roles, he explained:
“I have a good relationship with Carreras, so it’s easy on the pitch. And I like playing there. Although right now the important thing is to play.
“I’m not usually on the wing, but like what happened with the full-back role, if I have to do it for the team, I’ll do it. I’m not used to it, but it’s going well.”
When quizzed about his preferred position, Camavinga replied: “As I’ve always said, I like playing as a defensive midfielder.
“I might lack consistency and need to be more focused on the pitch, because I do make mistakes sometimes, I’m aware of that. That’s what I’m lacking.”
Reflecting on his career so far, he noted: “I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved, although I want more. Looking back… my family is very proud, very happy. I come from a place without much, and now I can give so much to my people.
“On the field, I pray that my parents are happy when they see me play. I think I’m achieving that. And I want to keep going.”
Camavinga also spoke about his relationship with teammate Vinicius Jr., who was in good nick this past weekend, saying:
“I have a wonderful, very special relationship with him. But sometimes, as friends, we have to tell each other the truth, even if it’s harsh.
“That’s what friends do. That’s why I like talking to him, and he likes talking to me. I see him doing well. I’m very happy about that.”
Regarding the criticism he has faced, at the Santiago Bernabeu as well as back in France, Camavinga admitted:
“Criticism is part of a footballer’s job. Even when you do good things, you’ll be criticized. So just focus on your work and that’s it.
“I don’t look at social media and the like much… but I consider it a normal part of the job. Criticism. And it gives me more motivation to work and improve.”