Real Madrid lock horns with Bayern Munich on Wednesday night in a must-win UEFA Champions League clash at the Allianz Arena.
Having lost the first leg of their quarter-final tie 1-2 to the Bavarians last week, Los Blancos have it all to do tomorrow in Munich.
Their poor form since the international break, coupled with Bayern’s exemplary record at home this season, make the challenge even more difficult.
Despite that, manager Alvaro Arbeloa insisted in his press conference that there is confidence in the dressing room about pulling off a comeback tomorrow.
“I’m really looking forward to it, just like everyone at Real Madrid. We’re convinced we can do it and we’re ready for a great match,” he said.
When asked to explain the reasons for the confidence in mounting a turnaround, Arbeloa stated:
“First of all, we are Real Madrid. If there is a team that comes to this stadium to turn things around, it’s us. We are a team that never gives up, the team with 15 European Cups. We are Real Madrid and we will return with our badge or on top of it.”
Talking about what his team will need to do to stand a chance of winning in Germany tomorrow, Arbeloa remarked:
“It’s a country where we have to be at our best. Mentally, emotionally, technically, tactically… We have to play a great game individually and as a team.
“Tomorrow we have to show character to play in a stadium like this against a fantastic team that already beat us last week. We have to show who we are.”
On whether Real Madrid need a miracle to turn things around, the manager replied: “I don’t see that we need to perform any miracles. If we won the other day, it wouldn’t have been anything crazy. Their goalkeeper was the MVP.
“We are capable of doing it. Nobody who knows Real Madrid thinks that Real Madrid winning tomorrow will be a miracle.”
When asked if there was also an element of fear going into the tie against Bayern, the Real Madrid boss said:
“They are also a great team, a team that can look us in the eye because of their history, their mentality, their personality… We have to focus on ourselves, which is what’s important and what we can show.”
Alvaro Arbeloa, Head Coach of Real Madrid
Fully confident of mounting a comeback. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
History is against Real Madrid going into the game as they have never been able to come back from a first-leg home defeat in a Champions League tie.
“We haven’t discussed it, but it’s another challenge, another test. Real Madrid’s history has been built on seemingly impossible feats,” said Arbeloa about the record.
“We’re ready to fight to make this club’s history even greater and to come back and win away from home.”
On the areas that the team need to improve, he added: “We need to improve many aspects of our game. It’s important to take advantage of our chances; we won’t have as many as in the first leg.
“It’s about confidence. We have to score if we want to win and advance. We have to play very well tomorrow.”
As for the atmosphere he is expecting tomorrow at the Allianz Arena, Arbeloa stated: “We’ve played here many times. I have. Many other players have too. We know it. We’re ready for it.
“These are environments where Real Madrid players feel comfortable. These are moments they want to be in and give their best. I’m sure they’ll go out and play a great game tomorrow.”
Concluding, Arbeloa once again reaffirmed Real Madrid’s belief and confidence in progressing to the semi-finals, as he said:
“I don’t know how many teams in the world can say they’ve won the European Cup 15 times. The Real Madrid coach believes, the players believe, and the club believes. Every single fan I’ve met these past few days believes we’re going to win. Everyone believes.
“We know how difficult it is; nobody knows what will happen tomorrow, but we’re going to give it our all, and with that, we believe we’re going to win.”
Source: AS