Real Madrid star explains the changes under Arbeloa ahead of Benfica clash: ‘He comes with a clear idea’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid lock horns with SL Benfica in the final matchday of the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night at Estadio Da Luz in Lisbon.

Currently third in the table, Los Blancos still need a positive result to ensure a top-eight finish and direct qualification through to the Round of 16 of the competition.

Ahead of the game, Real Madrid defender Alvaro Carreras addressed the media in the pre-match press conference.

It will be a special occasion for the left-back, who left Benfica in the summer to join Real Madrid and has become a permanent fixture on the left side of the defence.

Kicking things off, Carreras explained what kind of game he was expecting against his former club tomorrow, saying:

“We know it will be very important for both teams because we need the win. The atmosphere will be spectacular. But we need to play our football, as we have done in recent games. And we’ll get the three points for sure.”

Moving to the topic of new manager Alvaro Arbeloa, the Real Madrid left-back explained what had changed under the former defender after he replaced Xabi Alonso.

“He comes with a clear idea: to be ourselves. To enjoy ourselves with the ball, stick together when things get tough and run together. And then, the spaces and depth will appear.”

On whether there has been a change of attitude among the players under the new management, the defender acknowledged:

“Well… we knew it would be difficult against Villarreal and we had to push hard from the start. After the break, we came out focused and determined, and the goal came.

“We’re all committed, we want the best for the club and we’re going for all the remaining titles.”

Alvaro Carreras faces his former club in the UCL. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

The chat then moved to Carreras’ connection with Benfica, and he was asked if he had spoken to any of his former teammates leading up tomorrow’s game.

“I’ve spoken to many of them. I have a very good relationship with a lot of them, I would even say they are friends, at Benfica. Like Manu… Prestianni… but we’ll talk more after the match than on the pitch,” he stated.

On if he had any advice for Jose Mourinho’s team, Carreras added: “I wish them all the best. I left not long ago, but I still have a very close relationship with the players and management.

“I hope they keep fighting. It’s a very demanding club, the best in Portugal. I’m sure they’ll do well.”

Regarding the game tomorrow, he added: “I’ve had some great nights at Da Luz… and I know they’ll be going all out. It’ll be a great night, but I hope we have a good game.”

Discussing his role in the Real Madrid team and whether he had imagined having such a prominent position in the side in his debut season, Carreras said:

“In the end, you arrive at a new place with the happiness and excitement of a young man fulfilling his dream of playing for the best club in the world. What I can say is that with confidence and these players by my side, it’s very easy to play.

“Living with them is a dream. You learn, they teach you a lot. I was confident that everything would go well and that I had the level to play for Real Madrid… yes, I was confident.”

On whether critics are too quick to write off Real Madrid, he noted: “I like the pressure, I feel good. I don’t know if they’re writing us off… but there has to be pressure, because otherwise this wouldn’t be the club it is.”

Concluding, Carreras was asked if he would have liked to have been coached by Mourinho, to which he replied:

“These are situations… I would have liked it, because he is a legendary coach who knows a lot about football. But now I am very happy with Arbeloa, just as I was with the two coaches I had at Da Luz.”

“I am extremely happy. And to Mourinho… I wish him all the best,” he concluded.

Source: AS