Arbeloa confirms the starting roles of Bellingham, Camavinga, and Militao

What does Militao change in defense?

“When Militao is well, he is probably the best in the world. Physically, he is a dominant player, in one-on-one situations, he covers a lot of space in open field, he has a very powerful aerial game. Great ball distribution, his mentality, character, commanding voice. His importance to the group is beyond doubt. It is a privilege to have a player like that.”

Do you trust the referees?

“It is not about trusting or distrusting. It is what we are seeing. It happened on Tuesday with the tackle on Mbappé, it is hard to understand that it was not a red card. It even happens with VAR, which seemed like it would solve many things. In Spain, we are still waiting for an explanation and we need to fix it. There are many doubts about these types of decisions. One week VAR is used, the next it isn’t. I try to focus on my job as coach.” 

Camavinga said he wants to contribute more football, do you agree?

“It’s good that he has those feelings. Each coach asks different things of him. He has privileged physicality, ball control. He has great qualities. I am happy with his performance. I want him to improve, to understand what we ask of him on the field. He will continue to be important in the future.”

What role do you think Camavinga has?

“Camavinga has played quite a bit 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 he has the confidence of everyone in the club and, of course, of the coach.” 

Mendy, Militao or Bellingham, will they play tomorrow?

“Militao and Bellingham will be starters. Mendy will have minutes.”

Do you feel there is no margin in La Liga?

“We are aware that each match is very important. Now we have less margin for error. If we don’t have options, we will keep fighting the same. We know what we represent and the demands that entails. We are ready to face it.”

Is it difficult to motivate the players for Girona?

“They are the first ones who want to play. More than me. Any Madrid player when they don’t manage to win and something like this happens, they would want to play the next day. I have talked with many and they are willing, available, and eager to offer a great match to the fans and to ourselves.” 

Are Barcelona’s complaints fair?

“I don’t want to enter into that kind of assessment. We have already seen what happened last weekend and what keeps happening many weeks. My opinion is there and I maintain it, it is what I keep seeing week after week.”

Do you consider that anyone has lacked desire?

“No no, not at all. I am not someone who likes to meticulously break down tactically what we are looking for here. What matters is the desire to go out with great attitude, great commitment. The talent is there and it is wonderful. But to win matches talent alone is not enough. Occasionally yes, but if we want to be consistent, we need more than talent.” 

Will there be tests ahead of the return leg against Bayern?

“We are not here for experiments. We are eager for the Munich match to come. Since the whistle blew, we want to try what we are capable of at the Allianz. Before that, we need to focus on tomorrow, the Wednesday match starts tomorrow. We have to play a great match. We have four days to recover and everyone’s mind is on giving their best. That is the only objective. To field a great team and play a great match.”

Will there be rotations?

“Tomorrow I want to go out to win. I think again, despite the result, that I put out the best players in Mallorca. I’m not thinking about rotations. The most important match I have as a coach is tomorrow’s. I will field a team up to that task.”

Seeing the refereeing record, is officiating different in Spain than in Europe?

“You all know my opinion about what has happened for so many years and keeps happening. I am not going to change my opinion.” 

Vinicius again heard whistles, at this moment, do you consider these whistles unfair?

“You already know what I think about Vinicius. What he means to me as a coach, as a Madrid fan, and the performance he is giving. For me, it would be a luck, and I hope to play every match I have at the Bernabéu. The whistles are part of this fandom’s demands. I see it as normal and natural. Others may notice a poisoned atmosphere. If anything, what we are noticing is the support of our fans. We cannot ask for anything more. If the team showed up and had the chances it had, it was because of how the Bernabéu pushed. Hopefully, I get the luck to play at the Bernabéu. All players feel the same.”

Isn’t it Mbappé every day?

“Not only Mbappé, I want players who want to be Real Madrid players every day. It is important to want to be yourself beyond talent and quality. You cannot play a Champions quarter-final and matches with great motivation every day, that’s where self-demand comes in. It goes beyond the talent he has. We want that tomorrow when they play against Girona they feel 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 the best of themselves.”