Benfica manager, Jose Mourinho, has wished Alvaro Arbeloa the best with Real Madrid ahead of their Champions League clash, however, when they face each other at the Estadio da Luz. Mourinho will face his former player for the first time, and Los Blancos for the first time in six years, since he faced Manchester United.
The Eagles need a win to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, as they currently sit in 29th place, two points outside the playoffs. Mourinho will have to improve his record against Los Blancos with four defeats and one draw, the last result dating back to his Porto days.
Due to Negreira’s ongoing trial in Spain, and Mourinho’s infamous Real Madrid press conference, where he asked why Barcelona were getting decisions from referees, the Portuguese did not get involved.
“I don’t care, to be honest. I live my job day by day. What happened, happened.”
‘The most important thing is that Arbeloa enjoys it’
One of Mourinho’s biggest headlines was to face one of his former players at the Bernabeu in Arbeloa. We wish him the best in his new career.
“I respect you very much that you are trying to direct things in the right way. The question was about Spalletti. My answer is about him. In 2000, Benfica called a coach who had never coached anyone. That coach did not answer because he thought they wanted him as an assistant. It has happened to me.”
“You Spaniards used this as an opportunity to talk about Arbeloa. They are both like my boys, my former players, and they are special. From a personal point of view, he is one of my favorite players. He was not the best, but he was probably one of the best players at Real Madrid. I hope that everything goes well with Arbeloa and that he has a great career.”
Mourinho did not give Arbeloa any tips about the Real Madrid job, but he pointed out the most important part of doing the job.
“I wish him the best. Arbeloa can coach any team in the world. Real Madrid can be coached by any coach in the world, and I want them to do well. Just think how well I want to do Real Madrid and Alvaro. Except for tomorrow. I love Arbeloa and Real Madrid. I can’t give him advice. The important thing is that he is happy. Being a coach is a difficult job because many people criticize you every day and they criticize you. promoters in the world of football it is important that he is happy, more of anything.
Arbeloa has been keen to emphasize the impact Mourinho has had on him, and has been cast as a similar character. His former manager said he had not been in contact with Arbeloa since the Spanish manager took over at Real Madrid.
“I haven’t talked to him yet. My phone number is strange because the only one that is always available is for the team and my family. My other number changes and other people lose my information and I also lost it. There is no need for us to call each other and wish each other good luck. You already know that.
Mourinho talks to Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid
Naturally, Mourinho was also asked for his opinion on Xabi Alonso’s spell as Real Madrid manager, which ended prematurely earlier this month. He, like Kylian Mbappe, seemed confident that Alonso would succeed on the line.
“Xabi is one of my boys. I have only good memories. I felt the joy that I will feel tomorrow against Alvaro. I played with Xabi and I was happy. What he did in Leverkusen was a great joy, as well as his arrival at Real Madrid. What happened after that and why it ended does not make me happy. Anything can happen. I would be very surprised by his quality in football. Now I am very surprised in football. The coach can reach him.”
Real Madrid are in strong form as they head to Lisbon, with a win confirming their place in the top eight of the Champions League. Even if they lose, Los Blancos can still get a bye in the Round of 16, while the whole point secures their place again.
