Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa spoke to the media after their 2-0 win over Villarreal on Saturday. He was asked about how the players played a complete game, to which he said: “Well, we saw it last Wednesday, it wasn’t that long ago. It’s felt like a long time ago! The players’ commitment is undeniable. The effort they put in on a pitch like this, against a fantastic team with a fantastic coach. We knew it was one of the toughest away games of the entire league, because we were playing at the home of the third-placed team; so we have to give a lot of credit to the players’ effort, to their collective commitment. Obviously, this is a team victory. We’re very happy to take all three points.”
“We’re seeing, just like last Wednesday, a great Vinicius. We have to take advantage of him. We have to find him as often as possible; create situations where we can free him up, where he has one-on-one opportunities… and where he makes plays as good as the ones he’s made throughout the match. And as I’ve always said: it’s incredibly lucky to have Vinicius, and to have the work he does for the team.”
Arbeloa on keeping up the work
“We need to keep working. We put on a very serious, very solid performance. But we still have room for improvement. We’ve only had a few training sessions together and haven’t really had time to work together. They’ve been mostly recovery sessions. So we still have a lot, a lot to improve, in every aspect. And starting… well, from this great solidity and hard work from all the players. This team is destined for more. I certainly don’t think this is its peak.”
Arbeloa on counter-attacks
“Obviously, I can’t go against the players’ nature. On the contrary, I have to try to take advantage of it. We have many players who are very dominant in open space. Very fast footballers who also tend to finish well. And we have to capitalize on that. When we can run, we will, because it’s in their nature and because that’s where they make the difference. It’s going to be one of our weapons throughout the season.”
“The first thing a team needs is to know that we have to stick together. We’re going to go through some very difficult, very challenging situations. And it’s through unity that you achieve your goals. That’s what I’ve wanted to emphasise to them from day one, because we haven’t been able to work much on the pitch. For me, the most important thing is that they’re united. We saw it last Wednesday with that huddle together after Vini’s goal, and we saw it again today with Brahim. I’ve found a fantastic group of really great guys who truly appreciate each other, work together, and help each other out. And this is the first basic rule of any team sport: unity among teammates. Sacrifice. There have been many players who haven’t played, but who are training very well, waiting for their opportunity, and contributing. It seems like you only win games with the players who play, but there are many, many others who are helping us a lot. Who are giving us so much. I have to give credit to all the players.”
Arbeloa on working with these players
“All I can say is that they’re working really well every day. It’s true we’ve had a lot of matches, and the training sessions, as I just mentioned, have been mostly recovery sessions. But even on days when it’s a +2, when you have 48 hours after playing, we usually split the training sessions, because there are many who want to keep training, working… and I’m very happy to see that desire to work, to improve. To give a little more each day. Because there’s only one path; which doesn’t even guarantee success, but it’s the one we have. I’m very happy with the commitment of all the players and the attitude they’re showing.”
Arbeloa on Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe
“They’re the two best players in the world. Two very, very game-changing players. We try to get them on the ball as much as possible. Vini receives it out wide and Mbappé makes runs into space. I’m not going to tell you anything new about them. But I’m very happy with their form and their work. They’re very committed to the team: they’re the first to press, to link up with the midfielders, to show effort, solidarity… and I’m very pleased that the reward is coming in the form of goals.”
“It will be a very special stadium for all Real Madrid fans. The goal is to finish as high as possible in the top eight. That’s the next objective. Tomorrow we train and start thinking about that match.”
