Álvaro Arbeloa reinforced his status as the shield of the Real Madrid squad in the third press conference he offered since Florentino … Pérez put him in charge of the first team after the dismissal of Xabi Alonso. «I greatly respect the opinion of the Bernabéu. I understand that the Madrid fan is hurt and disappointed with us, but I am going to ask them for support. In 123 years of Real Madrid history, titles have been won when the Bernabéu has been with the players. Juanito said that ’90 minutes at the Bernabéu are very long’ when the Bernabéu is with our players. That’s what I’m going to ask of him,” said the coach in the preview of the match between the Whites and Levante this Saturday.
A duel that is coated with plebiscitary overtones after Real Madrid’s cup debacle against Albacete, which once again exposed the numerous shortcomings that affect the whites and that must be alleviated by a coach who promised to make every effort to straighten the course of his squad, as he did this Friday by entering the Valdebebas Sports City at 6:57 to prepare the last training session before the clash with Levante. «I usually come in early. There is a lot of work. I said it on the first day, I have come to this chair to work from the first day until the last day I leave. “I will work all the hours necessary to put the team in the place it deserves and win titles,” he stated in reference to an early morning to which he is accustomed.
Arbeloa could not count on Rodrygo, Rüdiger, Lunin, Militao, Mendy or Trent in this Friday’s session. Mbappé was there, of whom he said that “he is better and will be in the squad”, although his presence in the eleven remains a doubt due to the sprain in his left knee that only allowed him to play a few minutes in the final of the Spanish Super Cup.
In addition to confirming the inclusion of the Bondy star on the list against Levante, Arbeloa took advantage of the press conference to clarify some points that generated controversy as a result of the appearance he offered after the Cup match against Albacete. «I am not oblivious to everything that is said. If someone wants my words to be a criticism of Xabi, they won’t find them. What happened in Albacete was a lack of physicality, play and ideas and I am responsible. From now on there will only be one person responsible, who is the coach of Real Madrid,” said the Spartan, who maintained that the discards of Courtois, Carreras, Tchouaméni and Bellingham for the match at the Carlos Belmonte were only a product of caution.
Extreme defense of the quarry
“At the Albacete call-up were the players who were available, those who stayed were because there was a risk of injury,” said the whites’ coach, who also tried to reduce the noise generated as a result of his excessive praise for Vinicius. «When I wanted to value Vini’s effort it is because I knew where it came from. A very hard week, a lot of effort. Not only because of that predisposition, but also because of the game he played, that is what I need from Vinicius. That’s being a leader. I have also read many criticisms of the quarry. You can know that you are going to have me in front of you, because for me the Madrid youth team is the best in the world and they will always be by my side,” the coach said.
He also outlined some of the main lines of the team he wants to design. «I want to see a Real Madrid that goes out to win from minute one, that we have no doubt that our objective is to find the rival goal. Let the Bernabéu know what we want. I want a team with a lot of character, with a lot of personality and that transmits. “Let the Bernabéu public feel reflected in their players,” said the Real Madrid coach during a speech in which he said he was calm about what was coming his way due to the fact that he had “an extraordinary squad” with which he was going “to death.”
Along the same lines, he reiterated that he will be the only one responsible for what happens from now on. «I understand that people are looking for culprits, but I work to find solutions. Everything that happens on the field of play is my responsibility. When things aren’t going well, I understand that I have to be able to help my players better. “I feel very responsible for everything that happens on the field,” he said.
