While much of the focus was on Madrid's attack, Arbeloa also addressed the defensive challenge of stopping Erling Haaland. In the first half of last week's 3-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu, the Norwegian was kept quiet, and the coach hinted that he might stick with the same defensive strategy. "We have to defend Erling, and he's very tall, but [Arda] Guler did very well, and we'll have to see tomorrow if we can repeat that," he remarked, acknowledging the task ahead at the Etihad.
Arbeloa also took time to praise Federico Valverde, who scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture. The Uruguayan has become indispensable to the midfield, and his role is unlikely to change regardless of who returns to the lineup. Arbeloa confirmed: "He's at his best and has freedom of movement, and when Mbappe and Bellingham are around, it will continue to be like that."