Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa looked more relaxed on Friday night after his side’s win against Celta Vigo than he did on Thursday before the game. Fede Valverde’s stoppage time strike kept Los Blancos very much in the title race, reducing the gap to just one point; Barcelona could have extended it to six if the Uruguayan had not come up with the goods.
In an unknown game, an open first half was reduced to a controlled performance by Real Madrid in the second half, although the other did not have clear chances. Arbeloa was asked what Real Madrid are trying to do with their game plan after the game.
“Winning the game, that’s what Real Madrid play for. That’s what we want and what we had today (smiling).
“There is no better way to celebrate the 124 years of history of the best club in the world than this. The way Real Madrid does it: to fight against everything and everyone. In the game we came to with a lot of difficulty and absence. I think we should celebrate how it happened. And the way the players fought,” he told RMTV, as quoted by Diario AS.
‘This is Real Madrid, fighting to the end, character’
Arbeloa was desperate for the late victory to be a turning point, feeling his side showed the necessary personality they needed to see in difficult situations.
“I hope. For me, it’s very important, because it changes the way you face Wednesday’s game. And it directs the type of game we want to play. This is Real Madrid: fight to the end, fight. Character. Hopefully, it’s a time of change and from here on, everything will go much better.”
“There’s still a long way to go: 33 points. At this stage, it’s like the season hasn’t started yet. Now everyone is in great danger, and every game is a battle. The game we played was really impressive, if you look at how difficult Celta is and the number of injured players. I’m very happy with the character shown, with the fans, with the fans who wanted to support us when they came out. The real strength of the Real Madrid players, and today I saw a lot of them.”
‘We must value the school more’ – Arbeloa
With Real Madrid down to the bare bones, Arbeloa started midfielder Thiago Pitarch for the second game in a row, and two of his replacements were Castilla players. Manuel Angel and Cesar Palacios both contributed to the winning goal.
“We have to give it to him [Pitarch] Great credit for what he did, and today, too. He has character, effort, the ability to press, he is always looking for the ball, he looks for the best options… we need strong players like him to attack these types of defenses. Players don’t have that kind of mobility. Today we got to see the great game he played. The way Palacios and Manuel Angel played…”
“We have a youth center that needs a lot of respect. Obviously the best players in the world come here, but we have players of a very high level, and the way they all played is great news.”
In Pitarch in general, Arbeloa was asked if he is one of the best this season in Real Madrid.
“This is good news, it’s been a long time since a young player emerged from Castilla and established himself, who kept Gonzalo. [Garcia], [Raul] Asencio… it’s always good news when an 18-year-old, maybe Raul and Gonzalo were a bit older, gets the starting spot. But it’s good that he’s settled and playing. He earns his minutes; It’s not about my trust in him, but about his football. And he fits the mold of a Real Madrid player perfectly. In terms of football and effort, he embodies the ‘Real Madrid product’. “
Arda Guler changes Ferland Mendy’s performance
On the other hand, one of the players replaced by Palacios after an hour was Arda Guler. The Turkish player looked aggrieved by the decision, and Arbeloa was asked if there was a valid reason for him to be sent off.
“No, no, no… I don’t know if any coach has given him more minutes than mine. I’d like to know. I don’t think so. I trusted him a lot, and that’s very important. I’m very happy with him, the way he works and the level he has. Let’s continue, let’s keep pushing. Today we all won.”
On the other side of the game was Ferland Mendy, who had played 22 minutes since November, but was initially given the full 90 minutes.
“My mistake… He has not played for many months. And obviously, we took a risk, because playing 90 minutes after a long time is not good for me. But given the way the game happened, I think it was necessary. He has shown that every time he is on the field, it is easier for Real Madrid to win. And that means something to him. But because he is always happy with the way he trains; he is always very happy. smile, and if you are not playing, it is not easy, we need players like him, who can wait for an opportunity those and do like him.”
Los Blancos will face Manchester City next in the Champions League on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu, in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League.
