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Arbeloa discusses key players Carvajal, Mbappe, Vinicius, Trent, and Militao ahead of Real Madrid's match against Real Betis. Madrid aims to close the nine-point gap with FC Barcelona in the La Liga title race.
Arbeloa talks Carvajal, Mbappe, Vinicius, Trent, Militao, future ahead of Real Betis vs Real Madrid
Real Madrid lock horns with Real Betis tomorrow night Estadio La Cartuja hoping to keep pushing FC Barcelona in the La Liga title race.
Currently nine points behind their arch-rivals, who are sitting at the top of the table, Real Madridâs only chance is to keep racking up wins and hope the Catalans slip up.
After a four-game winless streak, Los Blancos got back on track earlier this week by defeating Deportivo Alaves 2-1 and will hope to build on it.
Ahead of the crucial fixture in Seville, manager Alvaro Arbeloa addressed the media in his pre-match press conference, addressing several topics, including his relationship with club captain Dani Carvajal.
Kicking things off, the Real Madrid boss made the teamâs objective clear for the rest of the season, saying:
âIt doesnât depend on us, our goal is to win all six, regardless of what Barcelona does. Weâre only worried about this game, but itâs not up to us.â
On how he is motivating the players at this stage of the season, he added: âMy main goal shouldnât be to motivate a Real Madrid player; they have very high expectations of themselves. My goal is to prepare them for what awaits them on the field.â
Arbeloa shared insights on Carvajal and Vinicius, highlighting their importance to Real Madrid's performance.
Real Madrid aims to win their upcoming matches while hoping FC Barcelona drops points to close the nine-point gap.
The match is crucial for Real Madrid as they seek to maintain momentum and improve their position in the La Liga title race.
Real Madrid ended a four-game winless streak by defeating Deportivo Alaves 2-1 earlier this week.

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Regarding the rumours of a tense relationship between himself and Carvajal, after his curt reply regarding the club captainâs limited minutes, Arbeloa explained:
âMy response the other day was curt, serious, to a question I found out of place; it wasnât about Dani Carvajal. You can see my responses whenever I talk about him, ask my players how I speak about him in front of the group.
âYouâre trying to put me in a difficult position in this unfair situation. Heâs more than ready to go to the World Cup, Iâm happy with him, and I think he should be just as important to the national team.â
Continuing, he added: âIâve always had a good relationship with him, Iâve always treated him with affection, respect, and admiration.
âFor people to think I make lineups for personal reasons⊠I find it hard to believe that any coach in the world doesnât make lineups for footballing reasons.â
On being further pushed about the right-backâs limited role since he took over as manager, Arbeloa replied:
âItâs very simple, only 11 players can play. Itâs not that they canât play. There are many Iâm being unfair to, but I know how well they train. Thatâs all there is to it.â
Arbeloa plays down rumours of a rift between himself and Carvajal. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
With Carvajalâs current contract expiring on 30 June, Arbeloa was asked if he would like to see the club captain continue beyond this season. In response, he said:
âWhenever you ask, I tell you the same thing: itâs between them. Iâd be happy with whatever makes them happy. Whatever is good for Carvajal and Madrid is good for me.â
On whether he prefers Trent Alexander-Arnold as his starter over Carvajal, he explained: âHeâs showing a high standard, heâs earning his place, his performance is beyond doubt.
âEvery match is a matter of life and death for me; when I pick a player, itâs because I believe he deserves it and because I think itâs to win â I donât give anyone a minute for free.â
With Arbeloa facing an uncertain future at Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho is being talked up as a potential replacement. And superstar Kylian Mbappe happened to like a social media post linking the Portuguese head coach with a return.
âI donât care if he gives a like to Mourinho, Julia Roberts or whoever,â Arbeloa said on the matter.
When asked about his future at the club, the manager replied: âMy responsibility is to win every match; thatâs how I see it, and thatâs what I ask of the players. We have to be professional and respectful of the club crest.â
Regarding Vinicius Jr. and his apology to the fans at the Bernabeu, Arbeloa said: âYouâll have to ask him that. I feel privileged to have him and Iâm sure heâll have a good game tomorrow.â
Arbeloa also issued an update on Eder Militaoâs condition after the injury scare in the last match, saying: âHeâs going to have an MRI scan, but it doesnât look serious. Weâll see from the results.â
On the contribution from players stepping up from the youth academy, Arbeloa stated: âThe boys have really helped out; theyâve shown they can hold their own in the first team. Itâs one of the most positive aspects of this season.
âWeâve seen them perform very well â the other day in the Youth League, and also with Castilla⊠My faith in them will always remain unshaken.â
Concluding, Arbeloa was asked if he felt his players might let their standards slip as they begin to focus on the World Cup, to which he replied:
âIâm not letting mine slip, and I hope they wonât either. Iâm sure weâll continue to see that commitment.â
Source: AS