Real Madrid midfielder opens up on Arbeloa’s methods after 2-0 win vs Levante: ‘He asks us to…’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid picked up their first victory under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa earlier today, defeating Levante 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Second half goals from Kylian Mbappe and Raul Asencio secured all three points for Los Blancos, taking them to just one point below leaders Barcelona.

Speaking to the club media after the match, Dani Ceballos, who came on as a substitute in the second half, explained what the result meant for the team.

 “We knew it was going to be a difficult match against an opponent that defends very well in a low block. The team worked the game little by little,” he said.

“We started slowly but improved as it went on, and we finished with good feelings and with three vital points for us.”

Talking about the performance and the improvement of the team after the half-time break, he elaborated:

“We corrected the mistakes from the first half, especially the intensity when winning duels and playing forward, which was fundamental to scoring. The first goal came from a penalty because we played forward, while the second was from a set piece.

“The team deserved a bigger result, but taking the three points was the most important thing for today.”

Dani Ceballos came on as a substitute vs Levante. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Ceballos also spoke about Arbeloa’s tactical philosophy and what the new manager asks of the team, saying:

“He asks us to press after losing possession, which is what we’ve lacked in recent matches, to be aggressive, to go upfield to win the ball back, to play forward, and to be dynamic.

“We haven’t been here long, but we’re going to grasp the concepts the coach wants and keep striving for more.”

Finally, talking about his own role in the game, where he played as a defensive midfielder after Aurelien Tchouameni moved into defence, Ceballos added:

“The manager knows I’m a hard-working player who likes to have the ball. Today he asked me to be a pure midfielder when Aurelien moved out of position and played more as a centre-back.

“I try to make the team play, sacrifice myself, give my all, and that’s what I did today.”