Alvaro Arbeloa has made it clear that Real Madrid are entering the most decisive stretch of the season with no room for mistakes, as Los Blancos prepare for their LaLiga clash against Mallorca.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference as reported by real vikingog via their youtube channel, the Real Madrid coach stressed that every game from now until the end of the campaign must be treated like a final, with both the league title race and Champions League ambitions hanging in the balance.
Softfootball reported that Madrid head into this period full of belief after their tactical 3–2 victory over Atlético Madrid and their dominant 2:1 elimination of Manchester City in Europe.
Arbeloa admitted the international break always brings uncertainty, but was pleased with how his players returned.
The players have returned well from international matches. Fortunately, all are safe and sound, which is the first objective when they go off with their national teams. For the vast majority, it has been positive, getting minutes and playing at a high level. Those of us who stayed here have worked hard and effectively. We are ready and aware of tomorrow’s match, of the challenge that awaits us against a rival that is very strong at home and needs the points as much as we do. It won’t be easy to play away after a break. We have nine finals left in LaLiga, and tomorrow is the first one.
The Madrid boss also made it clear that rotation will not mean compromise, especially with a packed schedule ahead.
I plan to field the best team I have to win the match, as I always do. Clearly, we have, within six days, three highly demanding matches because from now until the end of the season, we have no margin for error, and we play for each competition in every match. Tomorrow, we will field the best possible team, and we will do the same on Tuesday and Friday. There are many matches in very few days, but we have a squad of magnificent players. We will need all of them, and it’s being demonstrated. Every player is having their moments, their minutes, and their importance.
Arbeloa’s strongest message came when he spoke about the mentality needed for this run-in.
We are where we wanted to be: fighting for the League and the Champions League. Our only goal is to win tomorrow’s match and once the Mallorca match is over, we will think about the next one. We are playing for the League and the Champions League in every match. We have no margin for error and we need to be very aware of this when we step onto the pitch tomorrow because it’s going to be a very tough game. I’ve had 714 alarms go off due to the context we’re coming from and the difficulty of the opponent.
There was also major positivity around Éder Militão’s return, with Arbeloa full of praise for the Brazilian defender.
He will be back. He’ll be in Mallorca tomorrow. In top form, he’s arguably the best center-back in the world. I haven’t had the fortune of managing him in any match yet, but we’ve enjoyed him at Real Madrid for many years, and often you get the feeling that there are two players on the field when he’s there. He’s an exceptional center-back due to his physical prowess, his abilities, his intelligence, and his leadership. He will help us and contribute a lot. He is a game-changing player.
On Jude Bellingham, Arbeloa sounded patient but optimistic, while he also dismissed concerns surrounding Kylian Mbappé.
Mbappé has clearly stated these past days that the information is absolutely false, but I think it’s time to move past Mbappé’s knee and focus on his goals and the one he scored with his national team. Hopefully, he can also score goals for us and return to the level he has demonstrated and possesses.” He also shut down any suggestion of tension over the French star’s role, saying: “He’s not disappointed… he has always shown great respect for all my decisions, and I’ve never had even the slightest issue or complaint from him.
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With Mallorca next, Atlético already beaten, and Manchester City knocked out, Real Madrid know this is the point where seasons are defined. And if Arbeloa’s words are anything to go by, Madrid are entering it with full focus, confidence, and the belief that spring is once again their time.
