He real Madrid He faces the penultimate league day by visiting Nervión (Sunday, 7:00 p.m.). In the preview, Álvaro Arbeloa addressed the media at a press conference with the controversies Mbappé’s words still on the table and practically ending his time at Madrid.
Match against Sevilla: “Sevilla has just won the last three games, they are doing things very well with Luis. They have managed to turn Sevilla around. Pizjuán is always exciting for us because of the atmosphere that is created when we go there. It is one of the best fans in Spain. It is going to be a tough battle once again.”
Have you spoken with Mbappé?: “I just saw him and I told him to be calm. They may seem like news, what he said is something I had already talked about with him. I make it natural. I know what it means to play every day and not play. I understand them. I know he was not happy and I like it. I wouldn’t understand that Kylian didn’t want to play. It’s normal for me. In the situation that was coming, the best thing was for him to play for a while in the second half.”
Has it hurt you that Mbappé talked about things in the locker room?: “It hasn’t hurt me. Whenever I talk to the players I’m not afraid. When I talk in private, I like it to stay private, but it doesn’t bother me if it’s discussed. I talked to him before the game and what I told you then, no problem.”
Does it come out reinforced or damaged?: “I was a 1st RFEF coach and I leave as a First Division coach, who has coached Champions League matches. For me these four months have been a great experience, a learning experience. Being in front of you is also a master’s degree. I will leave with a clear conscience.”
How would you like the fans and the locker room to remember you?: “Madrid has millions of fans and some will agree more and others less. I feel the love of the fans. I am 43 years old and I have spent 20 years at Real Madrid. There are many years in what I consider my home.”
José Mourinho for this “ungovernable locker room”: “I don’t quite understand the unruly dressing room. I don’t agree with it. The day the club makes a decision, they will announce it when they see fit. I have always been clear with José. As a Madrid fan, I feel that he is number 1. I said the same thing in the Champions League. I thought about it a month ago and I will continue to think about it. He will always be ‘uno di noi’. If he comes back, I will be very happy that he is at home.”
The most complicated thing about this stage: “The most complicated thing in this club is always when you don’t win. It’s what hurts me the most, not having helped the players win titles. Because of the demands we have, because of the enthusiasm of so many people who are on our shoulders. Not having been able to help them has been what has hurt me the most.”
