Arbeloa talks Guler, Valverde, Thiago, Mendy, Palacios after Celta Vigo 1-2 Real Madrid | OneFootball

Real Madrid returned to winning ways in La Liga as they scraped through a last-ditch 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo last night away at Balaidos.

Aurelien Tchouameni gave the Merengues an early lead in the 11th minute, but not long after, Celta Vigo equalised through Borja Iglesias.

Real Madrid struggled to break open the hosts’ defence from thereon in what was another largely dull performance, but in stoppage time, captain Federico Valverde found the back of the net to secure three points for his team.

The result sees Real Madrid move to within one point of leaders Barcelona, who take on Athletic Club tonight at San Mames.

Arbeloa speaks out

Addressing the media after the match, Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa made sure to highlight the performance of Thiago Pitarch, who started his second consecutive match, while also praising Valverde and Ferland Mendy.

“There’s no better way to celebrate these 124 years of history of the best club in the world than this,” he said in the mixed zone after the game.

“The way Real Madrid do it: fighting… against everything, against everyone. In a match we came into with so many difficulties, so many players out. I think we have to celebrate it for how it unfolded. And for how the players fought.”

Talking about the emotional impact of the victory, he added: “We all know how tough an opponent they are. Every time I’ve come here as a player, to Balaidos, it’s always been very, very, very difficult.

Because of how they were playing, because of the confidence they had, and I’ll say it again: with all the injuries, with all the young players who came in.

“We really need to highlight the quality of our youth academy, the quality of all the players, and the character they showed. We’re very, very happy. Despite everything that happened in the match, I think we deserved to win.”

The manager then went on to highlight what Valverde means to this team, saying: “I’ve said it before. He is… he is… everything a Real Madrid player should be, he is Federico Valverde. He has that ‘Juanito spirit’.

“That quality that the great players who have been part of our history have. And that… he is everything a Real Madrid player should be. Today he carried the team on his shoulders again. And I’m very happy for him, because he deserves it so much.”

Real Madrid take on Manchester City next in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. And Arbeloa asked for fans to be fully behind the team at the Santiago Bernabeu for the game.

“We need them, we need them on Wednesday, and they know it better than anyone. It’s a Champions League night against a very tough opponent; one of the biggest clubs in the world of football right now,” he said.

“And… well, playing at home, we know we’re much stronger when the Madrid fans are on our side.”

Arbeloa’s press conference

Upon arriving at the press conference, the first question Arbeloa was asked was about the game-plan of the team on the night, to which he replied:

“To win the game, that’s what Real Madrid plays for. That’s what we want and the objective we had today.”

Arbeloa then went on to praise the performance of young Thiago Pitarch, saying: “We have to give a lot of credit to what he’s done, and today, Thiago, once again.

“With his personality, effort, that ability to press once, twice, three times in a row; the way he wants the ball, how he doesn’t lose it when under pressure, how he always tries to find the best option… he’s a player who passes and moves, makes himself available.”

Much-needed win for Arbeloa and Real Madrid. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)

At the same time, he also highlighted other young talents from academy who played a part on the night, such as Cesar Palacios, Manuel Angel, and Gonzalo Garcia.

“Well, today we have to highlight the great game Thiago played. How Palacios came on, how Manuel Ángel came on later, with that interception he made, how Gonzalo came on… I think we have a youth academy that we have to value more.

“That we have to give a lot of credit to. That… obviously, the best players in the world come here, but we have academy players of very high quality, and the game they all played today is great news.”

Ferland Mendy played his first game under Arbeloa last night, starting at left-back in the absence of Alvaro Carreras. Explaining the decision and the Frenchman’s lack of minutes so far, he stated:

“He’s coming off a long break, many months without competing. Obviously, we took a risk because playing 90 minutes after so long isn’t something I, as the coach, enjoy, nor is it what I would have wanted; it’s not the ideal scenario.

“But given how the match unfolded, the way it played out, I think it was necessary. Ferland Mendy’s quality… he’s a player who, since arriving here, has always shown that whenever he’s on the pitch, it’s easier for Real Madrid to win.”

Continuing, he added: “I’m very happy for him. For how he works and trains. Because he’s a guy who always has a smile… and that’s not easy when you’re not playing.

“We need players like that. Players who want to push every day, who know how to wait for their opportunity. And perform like he did when he had it.”

Explaining his decision to take Arda Guler off, which seemingly did not go down well with the player, Arbeloa remarked:

“No, no, no… honestly, Arda, well, I don’t know if there’s any other coach who’s given Arda Guler more minutes than I have. I’d like to know, I have my doubts, and… I think the answer is no. I’ve been the coach who’s trusted him the most since I arrived.

“I think he’s a crucial player. And if I brought Palacios on, it’s because I think he was more used to playing the role Arda was playing than Arda was. But I’m very happy with him, I’ve always said that.

“The way he works, the quality he has. And obviously… we have to keep going, keep pushing. Today we all won.”

On whether Thiago can be considered one of the biggest positives for Real Madrid in recent weeks, he replied:

“It’s excellent news. It’s been a long time since a youth player has come up from Castilla and established himself.

“The last ones were Gonzalo, Asensio… and it’s always good news when an 18-year-old – well, maybe Raul and Gonzalo were a bit more mature -establishes himself in the first team. When he plays. Thiago is earning his minutes on his own merits.

“The truth is, it’s not a matter of my confidence in him, but rather his football. I think he also fits the mold perfectly of what a Real Madrid player should be. Because of how he plays, because of his work ethic, effort… I think he’s a ‘Real Madrid brand’ player.”

Finally, on whether the win against Celta Vigo could be a turning point for Real Madrid this season, he said:

“I hope so, I really hope so. I hope it’s true. For me, it’s a very important win, if only because it gives you a different perspective on Wednesday’s match, a very tough one. It helps guide us a bit on the path we want to follow in every game.

“That’s what Real Madrid is all about: fighting until the end, believing, battling. I’m sure we can do many things better, but the personality we showed today, the character… I hope it’s a turning point and from here on out, everything goes much better.”

Source: AS