Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has heaped praise on his players ahead of their Champions League clash with Benfica, as they seek a fourth win in five games. Los Blancos can secure a place in the top 8 against Benfica regardless of the result, but they will guarantee one with a win or draw.
Arbeloa has been credited with a change of dressing, and a more motivated team defensively, unlike the side seen under Xabi Alonso. Arbeloa said he was grateful to his players.
“I can only talk about the 15 days I’ve been here. Since I arrived, I saw a group of players who are very dedicated, willing to listen and work hard. They use what we discussed. And that’s great. We still have a lot of room for improvement, and if we want to achieve everything, we need to be a team that does a lot of things well, that requires working hard with the players today. It’s commendable for the new manager, in such a short time.”
‘Jude Bellingham is the cornerstone of Real Madrid’
Arbeloa was quick to praise Jude Bellingham when asked if one of his goals was to get the England midfielder back to his best.
“Jude … and I’ll say it right here … it’s not that he was amazing, but from the first day I saw a player with exceptional quality and talent. Even more amazing up close. But more than that, I saw a leader. One day, 48 hours after the game, I told him, ‘I don’t often say this, but stop running.’ The way he shows his training, his commitment and leadership… I am very proud of his quality and to have a player like him.”
“On the pitch, he can do many things: he runs in space, he reads the game, and he has a very good game. He is young, but he has a lot of experience. And he will be a pillar of this Real Madrid for many, many years to come.”
Is Arda Guler ready to direct things at Real Madrid?
One of the questions being asked about Real Madrid’s pitch is whether Arda Guler should be in the starting line-up. Xabi Alonso used him a lot at the start of the season, entrusting him to manage the build-up game. However, his involvement in the work has decreased, there is doubt as to whether he can replace a player who knows how to direct matters with football.
“At the moment, I can talk about what I see in him: he has amazing ability, talent, vision, and a good final pass, like changing the game. He is a very young guy with a lot of room for improvement, but he works incredibly hard. He finishes the game tired because of his level of defensive work, but he helps us a lot.”
“We want to take advantage of his talent, which can shine more around the midfield or in the forwards. In all these situations, he will need to continue to improve. And when the tough games come, he will definitely help us. As time goes on, he will be a very important player at the world level.”
Arbeloa promises to attack development
Arbeloa was also asked how important it is to build a relationship between Mbappe and Vinicius on the pitch.
“The relationship between the players is important. There are players who find each other and combine well. We are talking about amazing players. Not just Bellingham, Vinicius, or Mbappe, we have them in other places. That is all part of the job; we are working on it. In time, things will be better, and we will be better in attack; we can give more.”
Since their Copa del Rey exit to Albacete, Real Madrid have scored 10 times and conceded just once to AS Monaco, taking them one place behind Barcelona at the top of the table. Arbeloa will have the chance to secure two breaks midweek by breaking into the top eight, where he will work on that relationship.
