Arbeloa: For Real Madrid, it seems easier to win the Champions League than the league

After crashing out of the Champions League last week, Real Madrid appears to be playing out the remainder of their season. While the "Whites" seem destined to lose the title race to Barcelona, their grip on second place remains firm. With only seven league matches left, the first of which is against Alaves at the Bernabeu on Tuesday evening, manager Alvaro Arbeloa addressed the media at his regular press conference.

How do you want your players to approach the match?
We all need the same thing – to win, to play a good game in front of our fans.

What does the team need to change to start winning again?
Two seasons without a trophy… Real Madrid is a club where things usually go well. There are times when they don't, but the mentality of this club is always to look forward. At Real, it's not enough just to lose, but winning isn't enough either, because we know the demands here – we must constantly look ahead to win. We need to win the remaining seven matches.

How do you see your future at the club?
That's a decision that doesn't depend on me. I'm not worried about my future at all. I'm focused on these seven matches, and especially tomorrow's. Every week I have direct communication with the management, and our relationship is excellent, but the only future that interests me is tomorrow. These seven matches are more important than they seem. We need to show that starting tomorrow.

If Real doesn't triumph in La Liga, it will mean the team has won only 7 of the last 20 seasons, almost as many as Champions Leagues. Do you have an explanation?
An explanation can always be found, and for many, it's obvious. In terms of our performance, we certainly have room for improvement in La Liga in recent years. In recent months, I think we've performed better in big clashes than against less significant opponents. If we're talking about these three months, there's a lot of room for development. But we've also experienced situations, like the one against Girona, which show that for Real, it's sometimes easier to win the Champions League than La Liga.

Transition, leadership…
We have leaders. This is a very, very young squad, if you compare it to other teams that have won the Champions League. There are many players from whom we demand too much too soon. But we have quite a few leaders like Carvajal, Alaba, Militao, Valverde, Bellingham, Mbappe, Vinicius… However, there are also many young players, and this is not a club where you adapt easily.

How have you spent these days since the match in Munich?
Well, very well. Thank you for your interest. I consider myself a person with a lot of strength and energy. I felt the pride that Real fans have for the match the team played on Wednesday. I expect the Bernabeu tomorrow to be like a family – united and proud of the way the team played. The feeling among the people is that we were deprived of a place in the semi-finals.

Over these three months, you've been very generous with praise for the club, the players… There hasn't been a single reproach. Do you feel that in some situations you've sacrificed yourself?
At every moment, I've done what I thought was right, and I've never put myself above the club or the players. I can only thank the club for the support and trust it has given me. Everything I've said has been because I genuinely felt it.

How is Camavinga?
He's hurt, like everyone else. It was a situation that was clearly a serious refereeing error. It's clear he didn't know there was no card, which seems like a very serious mistake to me. And even without a card, it strongly affects a player in such a match. Camavinga is disappointed because he knows how important the Champions League is for Real. He has my trust and that of the club, as well as the affection of the fans, and I hope he stays here for many more years.

What is your relationship with the dressing room?
I believe I have good relationships. I don't understand football any other way. This doesn't mean you're not demanding or that you can't push them… It's an attitude you have to adopt when you're a footballer. Even in difficult moments, there has always been a good atmosphere in the dressing room. For me, this is the right approach, and that's how a dressing room should be.

Are you worried about being booed?
No, because I feel that Real fans are behind the team. We need to play a good game tomorrow, perform well, and earn the applause of the Bernabeu. We need to go out for the win and show it from the first whistle.

How do you view Arda Güler?
These have been three very intense months, during which we've built an excellent relationship with him. When I came here, people were saying he wasn't capable of playing in important matches, but look at the games he played against Bayern and City. I've always seen his talent, his desire, and the sacrifice he shows as a footballer. This is to his credit, because he has learned from his mistakes so far. The season Arda Güler is having is a great reward for him. He is a player destined not only to achieve great things in the future but is doing so in the present.

Two situations with Mbappe in Munich – one where he doesn't pass to Vinicius, and another where he doesn't press. Do you agree with the criticism?
I cannot be dissatisfied with any of Kylian's actions. He played a great game. He put in a great effort defensively as well. We watch the matches more than once after they end, and I am happy with Mbappe's performance. He was a constant threat to Bayern, and this is the Kylian Mbappe we all want to see every day.