Arbeloa: “Anyone who doesn’t believe in a comeback should stay in Madrid”

Bayern Munich won the first leg ahead of the trip to Germany. Real Madrid, thanks to a goal from Mbappé, have opened a window of opportunity to dream of a comeback at the Allianz Arena in six days. At least that was the view of Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa in the aftermath of his side’s performance.

How do you explain the defeat? “With a bit more luck, we could have avoided what happened in the second half. We made two mistakes by losing possession, something we had discussed avoiding, and against opponents like this you pay for it. Still, the goal gives us hope. If any team can win in Munich, it’s Real Madrid.”

Tchouaméni’s absence for Munich is a significant loss... “There are reliable alternatives. I don’t know what the referee saw there, but I also don’t know what he saw in the play where Mbappé was tackled and it wasn’t a red card.”

You said the team needed to want the ball more. Why didn’t that happen? “At half-time we talked about how, when there are no fresh legs, you have to offer options to the player in possession. We had to break out of the cycle of constantly defending. We need to rest with the ball and we need players willing to ask for it. We did better in the second half and that’s why we improved.”

What are you holding on to in order to turn the tie around? “My players. At 1-2, sometimes the desire to equalise means you have to keep a cool head, but I admire my players’ ambition. I’m confident we can go there and win.”

Bellingham looked like his old self again. Has he earned the right to be a starter? “Starting isn’t a right. It’s not that I want to leave him out, it’s just that he has been out for a long time with injury and we have to manage that. I hope I can use Jude for the full 90 minutes in every match. He gave us a lot today because he relieved Bayern’s pressure. I’m happy with his performance, I see him much better, and he’ll help us a lot in Munich.”

Neuer was Bayern’s MVP. Is that the best news ahead of the second leg? “I don’t know if it’s the best news, but it shows we can hurt them. We’re going to learn a lot from this tie because we haven’t had as much time to prepare for it. They came here more cohesive as a team because they’ve been together longer. Anyone who doesn’t believe we can turn it around should stay in Madrid. I have players with a lot of personality, and the first thing they said in the dressing room was that we’re going to win there.”

How did you see Mbappé? “Highly committed, always a threat. This is the Mbappé we want to see: a player who wants to be Mbappé every day.”

Carreras struggled against Olise... “He was up against one of the best in the world. It’s not easy to face a player like that. My confidence in Álvaro remains intact and he’ll learn from today’s match. Those of us who have played there as full-backs understand how difficult it is, because Olise can attack from the inside or the outside. It’s tough, but Álvaro is a player for both the present and the future.”

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