At a glance
- Arbeloa dismissed questions about his personal situation after the win over Alavés, putting Real Madrid’s objectives first
- The interim coach defended Vinícius Júnior, praising how he turned the crowd’s whistles into applause
- Arbeloa insists the team will keep fighting in LaLiga for as long as the maths allow
Arbeloa and Alavés: a win that said more than the scoreline
Álvaro Arbeloa did not sound like a coach under pressure after Real Madrid’s win over Alavés. He sounded like someone who knows exactly where he stands — and what his job requires.
“It doesn’t matter what I’m playing for. What matters is what Real Madrid are playing for,” he said, cutting short any attempt to make the story about him.
Arbeloa’s defence of Vinícius sets the tone at the Bernabéu
The sharpest moment of his press conference came when talking about Vinicius Júnior. Whistled early, applauded by the end. Arbeloa focused on that arc without deflecting blame onto the crowd.
“What makes me happy is what he did today — turning whistles into applause.” For Arbeloa, the Bernabéu’s demands are not unfair. They are part of the environment, and players must respond to them.
Arbeloa is still fighting, with Bellingham managed carefully vs Alavés
On the injury front, Jude Bellingham was withdrawn early as a precaution after returning from a long spell out and playing 90 minutes in Munich. No risks, no drama.
The same logic applied to his overall message. As long as LaLiga is mathematically alive, Real Madrid will not ease off. It may be a familiar line, but at this club, it is non-negotiable.
