Alvaro Arbeloa and José Mourinho reunite as opponents in Benfica-Real decider | OneFootball

Alvaro Arbeloa and José Mourinho reunite as opposing coaches on Wednesday, with Benfica needing a win to avoid Champions League elimination and Real Madrid seeking to secure a top eight place.

According to L'Équipe, their greeting is likely to be warm despite the pressure, a nod to the bond forged at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013.

That loyalty was most visible in 2012-2013, when many senior players tired of Mourinho’s methods. After Iker Casillas was dropped in December, Arbeloa continued to back his coach and even requested a final staff photo at Mourinho’s last training session.

On the pitch Mourinho made him first-choice right back, drawn to shared values of effort, sacrifice, discipline and the collective. Arbeloa became a trusted conduit, reflecting the intensity, aggression and tactical rigour demanded.

In 2016 Mourinho wrote that Arbeloa was a friend as well as a player, praising his qualities and placing him among the most important he had worked with.

Two weeks ago, Arbeloa said his former manager had a profound influence on him. On Tuesday Mourinho wished him a fantastic career and hoped everything goes well for him, apart from the match, as Benfica chase the play-offs.

Source: L'Équipe