Alvaro Arbeloa has given the press conference before receiving Girona. He says that the best way to prepare for the comeback against Bayern is to have a great game against Girona, but his most important message was once again about refereeing and VAR in Spain, especially with regard to Barcelona.
He made it clear that he had already said what he thought about this issue in the wake of the Blaugrana’s complaints after yesterday’s game against Atletico, without ignoring the fact that the tackle on Mbappe against Bayern should have resulted in expulsion. He defended Camavinga to confirm that he will start tomorrow, as will Bellingham and Militao. How is Real Madrid: “We are looking forward to competing again, we are looking forward to taking all three points and having a great game as a team.”
What did he mean by wanting a Mbappe who is Mbappe every day: “Not just Mbappe, it’s important to always want to be yourself, it’s clear that every day you don’t play a quarter-final, that’s where self-demand comes in. We want tomorrow when they play against Girona to feel that they have to shine. That’s what we need. That they are themselves every day and are willing to give their best. It’s not easy, but that’s what we need. That their motivation is to give their best.”
Whistles to Vini against Bayern, if he sees them as unfair: “You know what I think of him, what he means to me as a coach and the performance he is giving since I’m on the bench. The whistles are part of the demands of this fans and I see it normal, maybe other coaches feel a strange atmosphere, but it is normal. If we had chances against Bayer it is because of how tight the Bernabeu was. I wish I could always play at the Bernabeu.”
On whether Barca are whistled differently in Spain than in Europe: “You know what I think about that and I’m not going to change. You all know my opinion about what has happened for so many years and continues to happen.”
Managing fatigue: “Tomorrow I want to go out and win, I’m not thinking about rotations, about the next game, and I’m going to put out a team that’s up to it.”
“We are not up for trials, we want the match in Munich to come and try what we are capable of. Before we have to focus on tomorrow’s game, Wednesday’s game starts tomorrow, we have to play a great game with our people and get a great team.”
“Not at all, it is key in life in all aspects to have a great attitude, a great commitment, the talent of the players is there, they are the best in the world, but with talent we do not care if we want to be regular. That only works sometimes.”
Barca’s complaints looking at the balance of expulsions of the 21st century, plus 65 Barca -2 Madrid: “I don’t want to get into that kind of assessment. We’ve already seen what happened last weekend and what continues to happen many weeks. My opinion is there and I maintain it, it’s what I keep seeing week after week.”
Is it difficult to motivate the players for tomorrow: “No, they are the first ones who want to play because it was a result that was not expected. I have spoken to many of them and they are eager to play and to give a victory to the fans.”
A new setback would be to say goodbye to LaLiga: “We know that every game is key and there is less margin for error. We are going to keep fighting, we know what we represent.”
Mendy, Militao and Bellingham: “Jude and Militao are going to play tomorrow and Ferland can have minutes.”
If he feels that Camavinga has not joined his project: “Camavinga has played a lot with me. More than in the first part of the season. He was a starter and will be a starter tomorrow. I consider him important for me and for the club. He has shown many times what kind of player he is and has the confidence of everyone at the club and, of course, the coach.”
Camavinga said he knew he had to improve: “That he has these feelings is good. He has a privileged physique, I am happy with the performance he is giving. He is not only going to be important now but he will continue to be important in the future. Each coach asks him for different things. He has great conditions. I’m happy with his performance. I want him to improve, to understand what we ask him to do on the pitch. He will continue to be important in the future.”
If he distrusts referees in Spain: “It’s not about whether you trust them or not, it’s about what we’re seeing. It’s difficult how a tackle on Mbappe like that wasn’t a red card, it’s things that keep happening even though VAR was going to sort these things out. From Spanish football we are still waiting for an explanation and we have to fix it. There are a lot of doubts in all these kinds of decisions. One week VAR comes in, another week it doesn’t. I try to focus on my job as a coach.”
What Militao brings: “I already said the other day, he is surely the best center-back in the world. He is very dominant in one-on-one situations, powerful in the air, with great ball control, mentality, character and leadership. His importance is clear and it is a privilege to have a player like him.”
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