Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa praised his players following their dominant 5-1 aggregate victory over Manchester City in the Champions League Round of 16. Despite his side’s effective and intelligent performance against Pep Guardiola’s team, Arbeloa humbly deflected credit for the match plan.
Reflecting on Real Madrid’s 2-1 second-leg win, Arbeloa told Diario AS that his team grasped the fundamental elements of securing a victory. “They pressed high as expected, making it difficult. We initially lacked patience with the ball, but that’s always easier said than done. The penalty incident shifted the dynamic,” he explained. Arbeloa underscored the importance of learning to win each match through “commitment, sacrifice, skill, and, above all, being a collective team.”
Real Madrid’s Resurgence Under Arbeloa
Since taking the helm, Real Madrid’s results under Arbeloa have been inconsistent, but their recent run of four consecutive wins—against Celta Vigo, twice against Manchester City, and Elche—marks their strongest period. Arbeloa insisted he wasn’t the primary catalyst for this turnaround. “No, it’s the players who initiated this change, with their sheer effort and skill. We faced a formidable opponent; very few believed we would win both legs. My gratitude goes to the players for their dedication,” he stated.
When asked about specific changes he implemented, Arbeloa pointed to the team’s attitude. “It hasn’t been significantly different from the past couple of months: persistent hard work and striving to make them comfortable on the pitch, ensuring everyone collaborates effectively, which I believe they achieved. We’ve been supportive. Their inherent talent is undeniable and crucial, and they’ve all understood that well. This is a tremendous victory. We must keep this momentum, though the next setback will inevitably reignite external doubts. While we can’t control that, we will maintain our current work ethic.”
“I wouldn’t dare think I could beat Pep at anything”
Despite widespread praise in Spain for seemingly outmaneuvering Guardiola—with players like Fede Valverde and Vinicius Junior proving instrumental—Arbeloa dismissed personal credit. “I wouldn’t dare presume I could outdo someone like Pep in any aspect. We won because of the players’ diligent work; they understood precisely what we asked of them. You analyze the opposition and identify their vulnerabilities. I hope this experience strengthens us as a unit. The players truly deserve this recognition. We have numerous players sidelined, yet we are operating as a formidable team, a true family. That’s a cornerstone of this squad.”
Arbeloa: “I could write a book on what I’ve learned at Real Madrid”
When questioned about his learning experiences over the preceding two months, Arbeloa remarked he had enough material for a compelling book. “I could write a book… Every single day at Real Madrid is a journey of learning. I’m discovering how to extract the best from each player, helping them realize that without effort, there is no reward. The Champions League holds a special significance for Real Madrid; to win it, we must perform as we did today. We also need fortune, to be superior, and to have luck on our side. We truly earned this; our 5-1 aggregate win speaks volumes. Let’s continue this path and prepare for Bayern.”
The introduction of Thiago Pitarch has visibly transformed Los Blancos into a more cohesive unit over several consecutive matches. With an additional midfielder, Real Madrid has conceded only three goals in these four games while scoring 11, showcasing their enhanced ability to both absorb and apply pressure effectively.
