Alvaro Arbeloa praised his players’ response and mentality after Real Madrid secured a hard-fought victory over Levante on Saturday, admitting that key changes after the break proved decisive at Santiago Bernabeu.
Speaking to the media after his first home league match as Real Madrid coach, Arbeloa acknowledged the difficult backdrop to the game.
Coming off a challenging week, he explained that confidence was fragile, but responsibility and character within the squad made the difference when it mattered most.
“We knew how difficult the match would be because we were coming off a tough week,” he said. “It’s not easy. I’ve also played matches after a big disappointment, and you don’t feel the same confidence as when things are going well. We knew we needed players with a lot of responsibility.”
As the match unfolded, Real Madrid initially struggled to break down a compact Levante side. However, after the restart, the tempo shifted and the hosts began to stretch their opponents, a change Arbeloa was quick to underline.
“We’re going to face opponents who will sit deep and deny us any space,” he explained. “We have a lot of room for improvement. Many things changed in the second half, but we’re going to have to work hard, make our opponents run, and wear them down.
“This match is good for us because we won it and it also shows us that we have to do many things much better to win more games.”
He added: “The fans have every right to show their discontent. Those whistles were for everyone, and for me most of all because I’m responsible. One of the reasons this club is great is the high standards of our fans.
“This is the biggest club in the world,” Arbeloa noted. “It demands the absolute best from you, and that’s what the Bernabeu expects of us. We have to live up to the standards of Real Madrid.”
On his players, Arbeloa highlighted their courage under pressure, especially in moments when the atmosphere was tense.
“Something I really liked today is that all the players wanted the ball,” he said. “I had 11 brave players on the field. To play for this team, you need mentality and heart. These players have it all.”
He also offered strong backing for Vinícius Jr., reminding fans of the winger’s importance and past heroics.
“They want to see the best version of Vini Jr. He’s won us several Champions Leagues. He’s one of our own, and we’re going to work hard to bring back that version that makes the fans happy.
“For me, it’s a blessing to have a president like Florentino [Perez]. Along with Santiago Bernabeu, he’s the most important person in the history of this club.”
With the victory secured, Los Blancos move forward knowing the result matters, but improvement remains essential as the season gathers pace.
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