Real Madrid News
Arbeloa talks Carvajal, Bellingham, Vinicius, Camavinga after Real Madrid 2-1 Alaves
Real Madrid registered their first win in five games last night against Deportivo Alaves, but even that turned out tighter than expected.
Having taken a 2-0 lead with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr.’s goals, the Merengues conceded late in the game to again send it down to the wire.
The final phase of the game saw the visitors put in a tremendous shift, one that even made a comeback look very possible. Eventually, however, Real Madrid held on.
Arbeloa’s presser
Speaking to the media after the game, Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa spoke out on the team’s win, performance and the reaction of the crowd to specific players.
He began by explaining the flow of the game and how his side should have closed the result far earlier on the night.
“It was a shame not to have been able to close out the match earlier. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy after the disappointment we were coming from and against a very needy Alavés.”
“Now we have to recover well because 3 very important away games await us,” he added.
He was also asked to give his reaction to the Juvenil A side winning the UEFA Youth League, to which he proudly said,
“Honestly, I’m extremely happy, because this is something the club has been striving to achieve for a very long time.”
“These boys have been trying for a long time, so I’m happy for them and happy for the coaching staff.
“As well as for the academy management and all the work the club does with the young players,” he added.
On Bellingham and Carvajal
Arbeloa was then quizzed on why he decided to take off Jude Bellingham before the hour mark, and he explained that it had to do with his recent injury and the heavy shift he put in last week.
“Bellingham’s substitution was because he played 90 minutes in Munich. After what happened with Militão, I didn’t want to take risks with him. He’ll be back to play on Friday against Betis.”
He was then asked if he had it on his mind to hand Dani Carvajal more minutes so as to ensure his spot in the Spanish NT for the FIFA World Cup.
“Well, I have 20 or 23 players, and I think any player at Real Madrid has options to go to the World Cup. If you’ll allow me, I’ll think about what’s best for the team.”
On Vinicius and the fans booing him
Vinicius Jr. was one of the Real Madrid players heavily booed last night at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Arbeloa attempted to mediate and diffuse the tension.
“The fans whistling at Vinicius Junior? Well, this isn’t the first time this has happened. I think he’s proven that over many years. But, as I always say in recent months, we’ve seen how he’s always been able to bounce back.”
“Vinícius always puts in a tremendous effort, and in the tough moments we’ve gone through, he’s been able to carry the team on his shoulders,” he added in support of the Brazilian.
Elaborating on how Vinicius deeply loves the club and does not deserve the hatred, the manager said,
“I think he possesses tremendous courage, and he’s a true Madridista, who deeply feels the value of the crest and the shirt.”
“Personally, I’m delighted when the crowd finally rewards him with applause at the end, that’s what I always wish for him,” he added.
Finally, he commented on rumours of the player’s departure and fans calling for the sale to go through.
“Some fans want Vinicius Junior to be sold? I see that I want Vinícius to stay here for many years, and that’s what matters to me.”
“I can speak for myself, I’m completely sure of what I think and what my opinion is. What I strongly believe is that Vinícius enjoys the affection and love of Real Madrid fans,” he added.
On Camavinga and his hostile reception
The manager then went on to play the same role in defending Eduardo Camavinga who was also whistled by the crowd.
“I think he’s back again to being on the pitch, playing and helping the team.”
“That’s what he wants. He’s a player with a big personality despite his young age, he has extensive experience. Every time we need him, as happened today, he’ll leap onto the field,” he added.
Praising Camavinga for the effort he puts in, Arbeloa explained the youngster’s importance in his plans.
“As I’ve always said when asked about Camavinga, I think he’s been an important player throughout these months.
“He’s always added something in the minutes he plays, whether he starts or comes on in the second half.”
“He’s just like Vini, these are young guys who arrived at Real Madrid at a very early age. They’ve already achieved a lot of things and very important titles in just a few years,” he added.
“I think he doesn’t just have the trust of his coach, but also of the entire club. I’m sure he has the trust of the fans as well,” he concluded.
Finally, he was asked to give his message to the team ahead of the final stretch of the season, to which he said,
“My message is very clear. We have requirements and responsibilities.
“There are things we must improve on if we want to be able to win next season’s league, and that is to impose higher requirements on ourselves.”
“We must raise the level of self-discipline, and as I said before, regardless of what’s at stake, and regardless of the opponent, I believe we must be able to demand more from ourselves,” he added.
Finally, he refused to concede defeat to Barcelona in La Liga yet, saying,
“As long as we have mathematical options to win La Liga, it’s certain that there’s hope. On the day our options run out, Barcelona win the title, we’ll congratulate them for sure.”
Source: Real Madrid website
Bernardo Silva was one of Real Madrid’s headline signings last summer. The Portuguese midfielder arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City and appeared destined to become the creative successor to Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the middle of the park.
Indeed, with the club having not signed a new central midfielder, many within Real Madrid saw the veteran star as a solution to the issue.
Manager Jose Mourinho made him a starter from the very beginning in pre-season, but not in his usual role on the right. Instead, he deployed his compatriot as a deep-lying playmaker in the midfield double pivot.
A change in circumstances
Silva failed to have the expected influence when operating in a deeper role in midfield in the chances he got.
Combined with the emergence of Arda Guler and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return to fitness, the Portuguese international has now lost his place in the starting line-up and dropped to the bench.
Bernardo’s situation became particularly striking against Villarreal this past Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu, when he did not play a single minute.
Limited opportunities under Mourinho
Bernardo has played six matches for Real Madrid, starting three and coming on as a substitute in another three.
He did not feature against Villarreal or Elche, while his only appearance in the last three matches was a little over 10 minutes against Atletico Madrid. He was not used regularly by the Portugal national team during the international break either.
Across Real Madrid’s eight La Liga fixtures, Silva has accumulated just 282 minutes of playing time.
The Champions League now presents another opportunity for the former Manchester City captain, who has yet to make his European debut for Real Madrid this season.
He missed the match against Inter Milan because he was still serving a suspension carried over from his time at the Etihad Stadium last season.
It remains to be seen whether Mourinho will give him an opportunity against AS Roma in the coming week.
For now, the midfielder’s reduced playing time suggests that the Portuguese coach has lost some of his faith in a player who arrived with high expectations after leaving Manchester City.
