At a Glance
- Kylian Mbappe gave a post about Jose Mourinho ‘a like’, which has caused a stir in the Spanish media.
- Asked about it at his prematch press conference on Thursday, Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said he doesn’t care about a like given to Mourinho or “Julia Roberts”.
- Los Blancos attempt to keep their La Liga dream alive by beating Real Betis away on Friday.
Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa attempted to play down Kylian Mbappe “liking a post” about Jose Mourinho at a prematch press conference on Thursday.
“These are things that I don’t even value. I don’t care, he can like a post about Jose Mourinho or Julia Roberts. It’s nothing. They are things that are not important,” Arbeloa said, ahead of Real Betis away.
Mourinho is being talked up as a possible replacement for his former player at the Bernabeu. But once more, Arbeloa isn’t going to get his feathers ruffled.
“I think my biggest objective should not be the motivation of the players. My biggest concern is to prepare them for what they are going to find on the pitch, and to have a very clear idea.
“For me this is the biggest objective. Those in front of us always have a special motivation when they play against Madrid,” Arbeloa defiantly stated.
The Carvajal furore at Real Madrid is something else Arbeloa brushed off
As if he didn’t have enough on his plate already, the Spanish press is also rife with accusations that Arbeloa is attempting to freeze out club legend Dani Carvajal.
He’s been used sparingly at right back in favour of Trent Alexander-Arnold. But Arbeloa insists that it’s nothing personal.
“You can review all my answers I’ve given about Carvajal. For me it’s very clear that you are trying to play a role in this situation that’s more than unfair. It’s not justified,” Arbeloa protested.
“He’s played important games and played them with flying colors. He’s a fundamental player for us, and in a World Cup you need players like him. [Carvajal’s] a Madrid legend and the most important homegrown player in the history of the club. I’ve always treated him with respect, affection and admiration.”
Against Betis, however, it’s likely Trent that gets the nod at right back as Madrid once more attempt to cut Barcelona’s lead to six points at the summit around a fortnight out from a league-deciding Clasico.
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