Arbeloa downplays Benfica revenge talk ahead of Champions League clash
Real Madrid Castilla boss Álvaro Arbeloa emphasizes winning the Champions League is the goal, not settling scores with Benfica after their recent defeat in Lisbon.
Former Madrid defender turned Castilla gaffer Arbeloa is keeping his eyes on the prize as his lads prepare to face Benfica in European action.
No revenge mission
Speaking at his pre-match presser ahead of tomorrow’s 21:00 kickoff, Arbeloa made it crystal clear that despite their recent defeat in Lisbon, there’s no bad blood driving this tie.
“The objective is to win the Champions League, not get revenge against Benfica,” the gaffer stated plainly, emphasizing that his squad knows exactly what’s required of them.
The young manager seems to be taking a proper measured approach, focusing on playing good football rather than settling scores. He acknowledged the need for tactical awareness, noting that his players must “know what to do in each minute” of the match.
Mourinho reunion
When asked about his relationship with former boss José Mourinho, now in charge at Benfica, Arbeloa couldn’t hide his admiration for the Portuguese tactician.
Rather than inviting Mourinho to the famous gray sofa where individual player chats take place at Valdebebas, Arbeloa quipped he’d prefer to take him out for a proper meal instead, highlighting their “great relationship.”
The Madrid coach expressed his ultimate goal is eliminating Benfica from the competition, while wishing his former mentor success in all other competitions afterward - a proper gentleman’s approach to what promises to be an intense tactical battle.
No surprises from Benfica
Arbeloa wasn’t shocked by Benfica’s performance in their previous encounter, attributing this to his intimate knowledge of Mourinho’s coaching philosophy:
- He expects Benfica to maintain their competitive intensity
- Acknowledges their individual quality has improved
- Believes Mourinho’s leadership defines their playing identity
- Considers this a completely fresh contest despite the recent history
Tactical evolution
When questioned about Madrid’s recent improvement coinciding with deploying four midfielders, Arbeloa rejected the simple correlation. He maintained they’ve been solid throughout, emphasizing that defensive stability requires ten players working in unison, not just a formation tweak.
The gaffer praised his squad’s reception and daily work ethic, noting they’ve united around a common goal: winning. “I can’t ask for more than what they’ve shown so far,” he concluded, showing the kind of confidence that’s bread and butter for Madrid managers facing big European nights.