Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa spoke to the media ahead of the La Liga game against Elche to discuss his team and praise one man in particular in goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. He said, “I’ve played with some of the best goalkeepers in the world, they’ve come to be considered the best in history. But I’ve never seen anyone do what Courtois does. There’s no debate, he’s surely the best goalkeeper in Real Madrid’s history. For me.”
Arbeloa on the importance of the game against Elche
“We’re playing for the league title, it’s a very important match. We want an atmosphere similar to that against Manchester City. We know the team we’re up against. They play better than their points tally suggests. We’re ready to go the extra mile. We’re focused and motivated.”
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Arbeloa on rotations
“Tomorrow we’ll field the best possible starting eleven to win. I’m not thinking about anything else. The players must be exhausted after every match; that’s their job. It’s not easy, that’s why they’re here. They must be prepared to fight like they did on Wednesday.”
Arbeloa on Kylian Mbappé
“He’s getting better every day, his progress is as it should be. We made a plan, it depends on his progress, but I think he’s doing very well. He won’t be there tomorrow, but I’m confident he’ll travel to Manchester.”
Arbeloa on players needing rest
“I only have players who raise their hands to play. We have nothing else on our minds but winning tomorrow. They will have more energy in their legs than us. We are made of different stuff, we have to prove it.”
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Arbeloa on running more than the opposition
“The data I have doesn’t tell me that. We run similar distances, slightly more at high intensity. That data is striking, but other things count too. There’s tactics, quality, mentality. It’s not just about running, it’s important, but we’re a team that normally runs less than the opposition. We helped each other a lot, we sacrificed ourselves… They gave it their all, that has to be the mentality. We have to try to make sure it’s not just a one-off.”
Arbeloa on handling Mbappé‘s return
“I want him to be able to go to Manchester, we’ll see how he feels. We’ll decide on Sunday. Hopefully he’ll be able to play, then we’ll discuss it with France.”
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Arbeloa on Manuel Ángel
“The size of his heart is what matters. I’ve been very lucky to play with wonderful players. I’ve been European and World Champion with players who were less than 1.70 metres tall. And they were sensational. I am aware that football is like this now, but he will have no problem becoming an elite player. He is ambidextrous, he plays on both sides… I’m not going to say he’s my favourite, which he is, but I believe in him very much. He did very well, he has a lot of work to do. Hopefully he can continue to show how good he is.”
Arbeloa on proving doubters wrong
“I’m not swimming in praise, I know that the next time I stumble, people will look at me with doubt again. It’s normal, it’s not because of me, it’s because I’m in this chair. The demands are high. People who have won several Champions Leagues here have been criticised, often in ways I find incomprehensible. It doesn’t catch me off guard, it doesn’t surprise me. I’m just thinking about beating Elche and making sure my players are doing well and bringing us joy.”
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Arbeloa on Antonio Pintus
“Everyone makes their own analysis. All I can say about Pintus is that he’s an exceptional professional, and I’m lucky to have him by my side. We’re going to keep working with him, and hopefully we can keep playing like this in the second half.”
Arbeloa on switching from the Champions League to La Liga
“It’s complicated, of course. You have to make sure that your own standards match the other team’s motivation. We’re sure not to see the same Elche we saw in previous games, and that’s normal, they’re coming to the Bernabéu. That’s why it’s so difficult to be a Madrid player, to have a winning mentality. We have to give our all, we’re aware of that. We have to make an extra effort. There are no doubts or excuses for playing a great game.”
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Arbeloa on Thiago Pitarch
“The lads have to work hard, as they are doing, with humility. It’s a time for growth and seizing opportunities. They’re doing very well, but they mustn’t lose that mentality. They’ve got here through hard work and talent, and they must continue in the same vein. As long as they do that, they’ll earn their minutes. Everyone agrees that Thiago is playing brilliantly and for now he’s staying here, like others, Manuel Ángel, César… Tomorrow you might see some more. I’m very happy to have them all. As we get players back, we’ll see what happens with them.”
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