Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa stated that his footballers are capable of deciding a match at any moment, recalling that Mbappé's goal against Villarreal originated from a previous play by Vinícius. Arbeloa emphasized total confidence in the squad, highlighting that several of them are among the best in the world. "It's time to work," Arbeloa concluded, seeking to find a balance after the good performance against Villarreal and the poor showing at the Da Luz stadium. The coach was firm in defending his decision to keep key players like Vinícius Jr., Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappé on the field despite external criticism. "I always want the best players on the field. I prefer to learn from mistakes and keep improving," Arbeloa stated, acknowledging that he will make errors, but always thinking about the team's best interests. The coach thanked the attitude and commitment of his players, avoiding reproaches after the defeat in Lisbon, and expressed full confidence that the team will reach the expected level as the season progresses. Ahead of the league match against Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabéu, Arbeloa asked for the fans' support and warned about the difficulty of the opponent. "Today, to win, you have to be at a very high level, both collectively and individually," he stressed. Arbeloa also downplayed questions about a lack of competitive spirit, assuring that the process has barely begun. The early exit from the Copa del Rey will allow the coach to use the first weeks of February without midweek matches, an ideal scenario to work thoroughly with the squad.
