Real Madrid defeated Espanyol 2-0, with Vinicius Jr. scoring both goals. Kylian Mbappe was absent, but the win boosts Madrid's momentum ahead of El Clasico.
Arbeloa talks Vinicius, Mbappe, Carvajal, El Clasico after Espanyol 0-2 Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe was absentĀ for Real Madridās clash against Espanyol last night, and the team once again won with a 2-0 margin and a dominant performance.
It was Vinicius Jr. who scored both of the teamās goals, and he looked like a completely different version of himself compared to the Vinicius who has played in recent weeks.
The win comes as a much-needed one for Los Blancos as they now garner much-needed momentum ahead of El Clasico while also keeping the title race alive.
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa gave his two cents on the game and the teamās win last night after the full-time whistle at the RCDE Stadium, and he began by highlighting how the teamās first clean sheet in ten games was invaluable.
āDean Huijsen just passed by me, celebrating the clean sheet, which shows how important that is to us. We havenāt had one in a long time.ā
Arbeloa then praised Vinicius Jr., who scored two goals on the night and spoke on how the Brazilian led by example.
Real Madrid won the match against Espanyol with a score of 2-0.
Vinicius Jr. scored both goals for Real Madrid in the match.
The article does not specify the reason for Kylian Mbappe's absence from the match.
The win provides Real Madrid with much-needed momentum ahead of their upcoming El Clasico match.
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Vinicius Jr. scored a brace. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)
āVinicius Junior was amazing as usual. He is a constant threat; he is our leader once again.ā
The manager then highlighted the areas where Real Madrid must still improve, explaining how the team do not put in as much work off the ball.
āAll teams run more than we do. We need to run more, press, and defend. Talent alone is no longer enough. The players need to understand that. This is the essence of Real Madrid.ā
The coach was then asked about Mbappeās decision to vacation when injured despite a Clasico being on the horizon and whether he saw it to be poir professionalism. Arbeloa, however, wiped his hands clean of Mbappeās situation, saying,
āAll the planning for the injured players is supervised and managed by Real Madridās medical services.ā
āThey are the ones who control when they have to go to Valdebebas and when they donāt. Each player in their free time does what they consider appropriate.
āI donāt get involved in that,āĀ he added.
Speaking specifically about Mbappe and the player being on vacation when the team is on the verge of losing the title, he said,
āMbappe on holiday? Every player does what they want in their free time.
āWe didnāt build Real Madrid with players who take the field dressed in tuxedos but with players who end up with the shirt covered in mud, sweat, and effort.ā
Real Madrid now face Barcelona. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)
Finally, the Real Madrid manager previewed the upcoming El Clasico which could well be the night the title race is decided.
āThe ClĆ”sico will be a very special game, just as it always has been.ā
When asked if Mbappe and Carvajal will be fit for the game against Barcelona at Spotify Camp Nou, Arbeloa said,
āWeāll see how Mbappe is this week, after last weekās tests it seemed like it was going to be a bit longer.ā
āSame with Carvajal, I have high hopes that he can play before the season ends and that he can say goodbye to the season on the field, which is what he deserves,āĀ he added.
Source:Ā Real Madrid website