Manager says players have shown their desire to work with him
Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa wants his side’s 6-1 defeat of Monaco in midweek to be “a turning point” as they chase Barcelona in La Liga.
Madrid have struggled for form over the past few months, with the 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final convincing the club to dismiss Xabi Alonso.
Since his appointment, Arbeloa has lost against second-division side Albacete in the Copa del Rey, but also overseen a crucial win over Levante that allowed Madrid to close the gap to Barcelona at the top of La Liga to one point.
The smashing of Monaco at the Bernabeu in midweek was even more encouraging, with the home crowd backing their side once more after booing them against Levante.
“In the 10 days I’ve been coach, with what I’ve seen, I want the Monaco game to be a turning point,” Arbeloa said. “We have a lot to improve, but the players want to work, that’s what gives me confidence.
“I can only talk about since I arrived last Tuesday. I can’t talk about changes, or the players being more or less happy. I can talk about what I’ve experienced, which is that the players are happy to work. They’ve welcomed me with open arms.”
Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham were singled out for whistling and boos at the Bernabeu last week, and both players scored against Monaco, Bellingham making a drinking gesture during his celebration in light-hearted mockery of criticism of his private life. Arbeloa backed the England midfielder as a leader and a key player for the club.
“In the games Jude has played with me, and in training, he’s shown me his ability as a player, his technical ability, his leadership, his personality, his character,” Arbeloa said. “The effort he made the other day [against Monaco] was marvellous.
He’s a player with a winning mentality who has everything a Real Madrid player needs. Taking into account his youth, his experience, and all the joys he’ll give us going forward, I’m delighted with him.”
Meanwhile, Vinicius has been linked with an exit from the club, with reports emerging this week that Saudi clubs were preparing an offer for the player in the summer. Vinicius’s contract runs out in 2027 but talks of an extension have stalled for over a year.
“[The contract] isn’t up to me, it’s up to Vinicius and the club,” Arbeloa said. “My job is getting the best out of the players. Obviously, my desire is for Vini to keep making history at Real Madrid.”
