{"id":1954,"date":"2026-04-08T17:51:54","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T09:51:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dxtynews.com\/?p=1954"},"modified":"2026-04-08T17:51:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T09:51:54","slug":"were-still-alive-arbeloa-backs-real-madrids-resilience-to-spark-munich-comeback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dxtynews.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/08\/were-still-alive-arbeloa-backs-real-madrids-resilience-to-spark-munich-comeback\/","title":{"rendered":"“We’re still alive”: Arbeloa backs Real Madrid’s resilience to spark Munich comeback"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Following a narrow first-leg defeat to Bayern, the ‘Merengue’ boss hailed his side’s character ahead of a high-stakes return leg in Germany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite succumbing to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, Real Madrid remain bullish about their chances in Munich. Speaking to the press and in the mixed zone, head coach Arbeloa dissected the performance while setting his sights on the decisive return leg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I told Vini that a single goal would keep us in the tie. Even at 2-1, we continued to take significant risks. We’re still in this because Real Madrid are capable of winning at any stadium,” he told the ‘Movistar’ cameras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing the tactical shifts required, the coach offered a self-critical assessment: “We sat a little too deep, particularly the wingers. That wasn’t the original game plan. This overly defensive posture allowed the opposition to dictate play. In possession, we lacked the courage to demand the ball during their periods of aggressive pressing. I’ve relayed this to the players; if you don’t threaten them or force them to retreat… however, we did manage to improve that aspect in the second half,” he analysed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We spoke at length about the risks of losing possession. Their second goal was a tough blow, but the team’s reaction was excellent and full of character. We left the pitch feeling that we could have converted other chances and that the tie remains very much open,” he noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Press Conference<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arbeloa also lamented the upcoming absence of Tchouam\u00e9ni, who is suspended for the second leg after picking up a yellow card: “We have time to reflect; the squad possesses quality alternatives. I’m not sure what the referee saw there. I also struggle to understand why he didn’t dismiss their player for that challenge on Mbapp\u00e9,” he remarked critically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The manager reaffirmed his belief in progression: “I believe it was a defeat that, with a rub of the green, we could have avoided. We were undone by two errors playing out from the back that we had specifically addressed at half-time. Against elite opposition, you are punished. The goal we scored keeps the dream alive. It won’t be easy, but if any team is capable of going to Munich and winning, it is Real Madrid,” he declared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When questioned on Bellingham starting among the substitutes, he explained: “It isn’t about hierarchy. He has been sidelined for a significant period, and Jude’s reintegration must be gradual\u2014that is only logical. I wish I could rely on Bellingham for 90 minutes every single game. I am delighted with the energy and personality he provided. He looks much sharper and will be fundamental in Munich,” he projected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arbeloa was clinical regarding individual lapses: “99% of goals stem from errors. These were scenarios we had anticipated. When playing out under pressure, your concentration must be absolute and your recovery transitions immediate; otherwise, the punishment is swift. What matters is the reaction to losing the ball and our preventive positioning,” he mused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on the battle against Neuer and his side’s potential, the coach stated: “We proved we can hurt them. We had several opportunities to extend our lead. We will take vital lessons from tonight. Our collective isn’t quite as seasoned as Bayern’s, who have benefited from a long-term project under their coach. Anyone who doesn’t believe in the comeback can stay in Madrid, because we are heading to Munich with every intention of winning,” he demanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coach also singled out Mbapp\u00e9 for praise: “I thought he was tactically disciplined and looked capable of making the difference at any moment. He is the best in the world and a constant nightmare for any defence,” he highlighted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“He was up against one of the world’s best, a winger enjoying a spectacular season. It’s an incredibly difficult duel. My confidence in \u00c1lvaro remains unshaken. He has a bright future ahead of him. He will learn from today’s game, which is the ultimate test for any full-back. You will always need support to stop players of that calibre, especially when they are cutting inside,” he commented on Carreras’s performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, Arbeloa outlined the focus for the return leg: “We won’t be focusing on the emotional side, but on the football. The priority is finding ways to hurt them. We have several days to prepare thoroughly. I have a squad full of big personalities; the first thing said in the dressing room was that we are going there to win. They are convinced, and so am I,” he concluded.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Following a narrow first-leg defeat to Bayern, the &#82 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1955,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1954","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dxtynews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1954","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dxtynews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dxtynews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dxtynews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dxtynews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1954"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dxtynews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1954\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1956,"href":"https:\/\/dxtynews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1954\/revisions\/1956"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dxtynews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1955"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dxtynews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1954"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dxtynews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1954"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dxtynews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1954"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}