Alvaro Arbeloa appeared before the media in the press conference, which revolved around the ‘Carvajal case’, before the match against Betis at the La Cartuja stadium. Nine points behind Barcelona, Arbeloa’s side will have to take to the field with the sole idea of keeping up the pressure on the Catalan side.
There were four questions in a row about Carvajal’s situation… and one about a ‘like’ from Mbappe that has caused a lot of talk. The French striker, who appears in the photograph alongside Mou and Arda Guler, is one of the more than 25,000 users who have interacted with the post. His like has opened up much speculation and raised the expectations of Madrid fans.
Real Betis
“It’s a team that got a very important victory last Tuesday and is recovering very important players. There is no need to explain the kind of opponent Betis is, the players they have and the coach, for whom I have the utmost respect and affection. It will be a very demanding match for us.”
White requirement
“Our goal has to be to win all six games, regardless of what Barcelona do. We have to put in a great performance, keep growing and improve many things in La Liga. We’re only worried about winning tomorrow and then we’ll focus on the rest of the games.”
Motivation
“My biggest goal should not be the motivation of the Real Madrid players. They have to have a very high self-demand. I have to prepare them for what they are going to encounter on the pitch, to have a very clear idea of the game. That’s what I spend most of my time on.”
Carvajal (the first)
“My answer was serious and blunt. I found the question out of place. You can ask anyone how I talk about Dani Carvajal. It is not justified what you are trying to do. Carvajal is doing very well. He is important on and off the pitch. More than once I have said that he is the most important youth player at the club. I have always had a great relationship with him. I have always treated him with respect. For someone to think that I make line-ups for personal reasons… it’s hard for me to think that a coach makes line-ups for anything other than footballing reasons.”
Only 22% of Carvajal’s minutes
“The reason Dani is not playing is because only 11 can play. That’s why I say that I am and have to be unfair to the players. I see them train and there are many who do a great job. That’s all there is to it. That doesn’t mean I’m not happy with the players’ work.”
Carvajal renewal
“About his continuity, I can only say that whatever makes the club and the player happy will be good.”
Do you like Trent more than Carvajal?
“He’s showing a good level, he’s deserving to play, a performance beyond doubt. Every game is life or death for me, when I put a player in it’s because I think he deserves it and because I think it’s to win, I don’t give a minute to anyone.”
Mbappe’s like to a post
“I don’t mind that Mbappe likes neither Mourinho nor Julia Roberts”
Is he taking a risk?
“My goal is for Real Madrid to win every time they play. Not my position. For us, the six games we have left are vital. We have to make a big effort and I have told the players to only think about Madrid.”
Vini’s forgiveness
“Vinicius will start and is ready to play tomorrow. I don’t know why he apologised”
Militao
“Militao has an MRI now and it seems that it will be a scare. But the extent is not known. We are calm.”
Quarry
“The youth players have helped us a lot when we have needed them. They have shown that they are ready”
Stepping on the brakes… thinking about the World Cup
“I would not understand that a player would reserve himself for the World Cup. We are Real Madrid players. Our demand is to fight for these six games.”
Read the full article here
