Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa appeared significantly more at ease on Friday evening after his team secured a last-minute victory over Celta Vigo, compared to his demeanor the day before the match. Fede Valverde’s strike in stoppage time kept Los Blancos firmly in the title race, reducing the gap to just a point; had the Uruguayan not delivered, Barcelona would have been able to extend their lead to six.
The match unfolded strangely, with a lively first half giving way to a more controlled second half for Real Madrid, albeit with few clear opportunities. After the game, Arbeloa was asked about his team’s strategy.
“Our objective is to win the game; that’s the essence of Real Madrid. That’s what we aimed for today,” he responded with a smile.
“There’s no better way to commemorate our 124 years of history as the best club in the world than with this victory, especially given the challenges we faced. I believe we should celebrate how the game unfolded and the determination shown by the players,” he added, as quoted by Diario AS.
‘This is Real Madrid, fighting until the end’
Arbeloa hoped that the late win would serve as a turning point, emphasizing that his team displayed the requisite character amid difficult circumstances.
“I hope so. This victory is significant for me because it shapes how we approach Wednesday’s game and sets the tone for the style we want to adopt. This is Real Madrid: we fight until the end, we battle with character. I genuinely believe this can be a pivotal moment, leading to better performances ahead,” he said.
“There’s still a long way to go: a total of 33 points still in play. At this point, it almost feels like the season hasn’t properly begun. Now, everyone has a lot to play for, and each match will be a battle. The performance we delivered was impressive, especially considering Celta’s toughness and the number of injuries we are dealing with. I’m truly pleased with the character displayed today, and I’m grateful for the fans who came out to support us. These are the moments that reveal the true spirit of Real Madrid, and I saw a lot of that today.”
‘We need to value the academy more’ – Arbeloa
With a depleted squad, Arbeloa opted to field midfielder Thiago Pitarch for a second consecutive game, with two substitutes also being players from Castilla. Manuel Angel and Cesar Palacios both contributed to the winning goal.
“Pitarch deserves a lot of credit for his efforts once again today. He has the personality, work ethic, and pressing ability; he constantly seeks the ball and looks for the best option. We need dynamic players like him to break through tough defenses. It’s important to recognize the fantastic game he played, along with Palacios and Manuel Angel,” Arbeloa noted.
“We must place more value on our youth academy. While the world’s top players come here, we have many talented academy players. Their performances today are encouraging,” he added.
On the broader impact of Pitarch, Arbeloa reflected on his emergence as a bright spot this season for Real Madrid.
“This is excellent news. It’s been some time since a youth player has come up from Castilla and made a mark. The last notable ones were Gonzalo [Garcia] and [Raul] Asencio. It’s encouraging to see an 18-year-old earning a starting spot. He’s settling in and playing well, demonstrating that it’s not merely about my confidence in him but rather about his talent. He exemplifies what we expect from a Real Madrid player in terms of both skill and effort,” he remarked.
Arda Guler’s substitution and Ferland Mendy’s performance
Arbeloa also addressed the controversial substitution of Arda Guler, who appeared unhappy after being taken off shortly after the hour mark.
“No, there was no physical reason for his substitution. I’d be curious to know if any coach has given him more minutes than I have; I highly value his contributions. I’m very satisfied with his performance and his quality. We must continue pushing forward. Today, we all succeeded together,” he stated.
In contrast, Ferland Mendy, who had played just 22 minutes since November, started and completed the full 90 minutes.
“That’s on me… He’s been sidelined for quite a while. We took a risk, as playing for 90 minutes after such a long absence isn’t ideal. Yet, given the situation, it was necessary. He has proven that he makes it easier for Real Madrid to secure victories when he’s on the field. I’m thrilled with him for how he trains and his attitude; he always stays positive, which is commendable. We need players like him who are patient and ready to seize their opportunities, as he did today.”
Los Blancos will face Manchester City next in the Champions League on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu, marking the first leg of their Round of 16 tie.