Real Madrid’s manager Alvaro Arbeloa has revealed that he is not focused on his future as he gears up for the Champions League quarter-final clash against Bayern Munich. Following a disappointing defeat to RCD Mallorca on Saturday, the Champions League has become an arguably more attainable trophy for Los Blancos amidst their current struggles.
With Real Madrid now trailing Barcelona by seven points with only eight matches left in the La Liga season, many are declaring the title race concluded in Spain. Consequently, Arbeloa’s future may depend heavily on Real Madrid’s success in Europe, though he is not contemplating the implications of a potential loss to Bayern.
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“We’re not considering the possibility of not winning the tie. I know you must evaluate all scenarios, but for us, there’s only one objective: to beat Bayern. That’s what we are focused on and what we believe in,” he stated.
‘I don’t align with either side’ – Arbeloa on coaching style
Amidst discussions about Xabi Alonso being a tactical genius yet struggling to connect with his squad, Arbeloa has been characterized more as a man-manager rather than a coach tied to a specific tactical philosophy. However, Arbeloa believes he doesn’t fit neatly into either category.
“I don’t define myself in alignment with any camp. My primary focus is on preparing my teams for the challenges they face on the pitch and maximizing the potential of each player. A good coach needs to be versatile and capable of everything,” he explained.
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‘Defeats are unacceptable at Real Madrid’
When asked about the team’s reaction to the loss against Mallorca, Arbeloa acknowledged the pain felt within the squad.
“It’s a typical dressing room response after a defeat. Perhaps they feel it more deeply here, as defeat is simply not accepted at Real Madrid,” he said.
Real Madrid faces suspension concerns
As they prepare for the match, Real Madrid will be without Dani Ceballos, Ferland Mendy, and Thibaut Courtois. Additionally, several key players risk suspension for the second leg; however, Arbeloa has no intention of instructing his players to change their approach.
“There’s no need for that. They are aware that they are one yellow card away from suspension, but tomorrow’s match is crucial, and they understand that if it means taking a card for the team’s benefit, they will do so. We’ve already dealt with enough players on yellow cards for too many matches,” he remarked.
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A total of seven players could miss the return match in Munich if cautioned, with six likely starters among them; the seventh, Rodrygo Goes, is already sidelined due to injury. These players include Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Aurelien Tchouameni, Alvaro Carreras, and Dean Huijsen.