Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa reacted to his team being heavily booed in the Bernabeu before, during and after a 2-0 win over Levante, revealing that “a lot happened” in the changing room at half time.
Furthermore, Arbeloa defended his winger Vinicius Jr., who certainly received the worst reception of all among matchgoing Los Blancos supporters in the ground.
The new head coach replaced sacked Xabi Alonso earlier this week, and had anticipated a frosty reception from the fans after Spanish Super Cup final and Copa del Rey last 16 losses to FC Barcelona and Albacete respectively this week.
As was widely expected across Spain, Madrid’s fans booed the team when it came out to warm up as well as players such as Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde not just when their names were read out, but also during a goalless first half.
Speaking after the match, won by goals from Kylian Mbappe and Raul Asencio, Arbeloa said that “a lot of things” happened in the changing room following a poor first half.
“It was essential to win. What am I going to tell the Madridistas? This week hasn’t been easy to digest.
“It was important to start the second half of the season in the best way. We won in front of our fans and let’s think about Tuesday,” Arbeloa added, in a nod to another home hosting of AS Monaco in the Champions League.
Arbeloa backed Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr.
Asked about Vinicius, who was consoled in the tunnel at half time clearly upset with the reception he received, Arbeloa said: “I’ve always been a person who has respected the Bernabeu a lot, I’ve also been whistled a lot and one of the aspects that make this club great is the demand of our team.”
“We know what week we’re coming from and the demand. We have to take it well because they know that we can give more. There’s nothing to reproach our fans about, we are the ones who have to give much more to the Bernabeu.”
Arbeloa vowed to “work to improve Vinicius”, and revealed that he is going to “ask his teammates to give him as many balls as possible”, because he’s the best player in the world in terms of unbalancing the opposition.
Arbeloa knows what he wants from his Real Madrid team
Analysing the first half further, Arbeloa said that his team needed to circulate the ball quicker, “which will be the usual trend in league games”.
“If we want to hurt these teams we have to play faster, we have to be patient. There will be many games of wear and tear in the first half and [then you have to] finish them in the second, as it was today”.
Real Madrid boss Arbeloa still enjoyed his return to the Bernabeu as a coach
Despite the circumstances, former Real Madrid defender Arbeloa cherished his return to the stadium – this time as first team head coach.
“It is something very special and beautiful. That it coincides with my birthday makes it different but above all being here in front of the audience with whom I have been with for so many years makes me feel this is an unforgettable day”.
Real Madrid now looks towards Monaco
“We don’t have much time to recover. The wear and tear on the players has been great and we are going to try to recover legs and heads because we need those three points to ensure we are in the top eight,” Arbeloa then concluded, with regards to Real Madrid’s match against Monaco on the continent midweek and its standing in the league phase.
