Álvaro Arbeloa: “Diego Simeone pushes you to the limit”

Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa was asked about his feelings ahead of his first Madrid Derby against Atlético on Sunday, and about Diego Simeone’s claim that his team are “the people’s team”. Arbeloa replied, “well, well… I think it’s great. I focus on my own team. And it’s a privilege to face managers like Diego Simeone, who has been demonstrating his quality and talent as a manager for many years at Atlético Madrid. Where he’s taken them, the consistency he’s maintained and where he’s restored Atlético Madrid to… It’s a privilege, because he’s the kind of manager who pushes you to the limit, who demands the utmost from you and makes you think long and hard about the matches. So… well, I’ll say it again: it’s a privilege to be able to face the best managers in the world.”

“With enthusiasm and excitement. It’s an important match because of what these three points mean, for the fans, and because of the excitement that’s been built up. It’s one of the best matches you can experience. I’m looking forward to seeing a passionate Bernabéu.”

“You take risks every time you put a player on the pitch. Very few players take to the field at 100%, without any niggles. It’s normal. When he came off at half-time, he wanted to keep playing and it was I who decided to stop him. It’s also because of the complete confidence I have in Lunin. He’s a great goalkeeper and he’ll prove it. Here, the best goalkeeper in history gets injured and we’ve got another one. We haven’t set ourselves any deadlines.”

“I’ve already said that when he returns, he’ll be 100%. In Manchester he showed he’s in great shape and how he feels… that’s the most important thing. I have complete confidence in him and am certain he’ll be back, and I’m thrilled to have him back. He’s 100%.”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Having Bellingham is excellent news, and so is the fact that Thiago has performed so well. There are plenty of matches, and I love these kinds of problems. They can also play together…”

“Here, we all attack and we all defend. We’ll find his best role; that’s my job. When we don’t have the ball, all eleven of us have to work. A collective mindset. I don’t see any problem in having world-class players. And if it happens, it’s a blessed problem.”

“I don’t like getting involved in these matters; I have great respect for the club and the player, the two parties who need to come to an understanding. But I’d be happy to put up a statue of Rüdiger in my garden. From day one, he’s made himself available to the coaching staff. He told me that in March, when the going gets tough, he’d be available, and here he is. His treatment in London, with Niko, has been a stroke of luck. And Real Madrid fans must realise how lucky we are to have him.”

“It’s brilliant. He’s available and he’ll definitely be playing tomorrow. I don’t see any problem with him going.”

“I say the same thing. He’s available. It’s normal; he’s very intelligent and knows what he’s doing.”

“If it’s not up to me and I can’t choose, I can’t dwell on it too much.”