Arbeloa: No excuses for defeat, plenty to improve

Real Madrid suffered a 4-2 away defeat to Benfica on Matchday 8 of the UEFA Champions League league phase. Following the match, Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa spoke to Mexican media outlet TUDN.

How do you explain Real Madrid’s defeat tonight at the Estádio da Luz?

We played a match that was nothing like we expected. We failed to handle the difficulties Benfica posed, and we didn’t execute the game plan we’d clearly prepared. When things aren’t done the way they should be, there are no excuses.

From the key moments of the game, what do you think led to this loss?

In my opinion, it wasn’t down to one single moment, but the result of our overall performance over 90 minutes. We didn’t play like the team we want to be, nor did we replicate the form we showed in recent days. As I’ve said, there are plenty of areas we need to improve, and we have to keep working on them. We still have a long way to go.

Courtois looked extremely angry and was shouting loudly as he left the pitch. What’s the mood like in the dressing room after failing to reach the top eight?

This is a team with extremely high standards for itself, and the players are fully aware of their responsibilities. Finishing in the top eight was an important target for us, but we didn’t achieve it, so obviously no one is satisfied.

Looking ahead to the rest of the season and the upcoming play-off stage, what must the team learn from this match? What aspects of Real Madrid’s performance left you dissatisfied today?

I’ve made it clear already: we know we have a lot of work ahead. We’re a team with a new manager and plenty of new players, who need time to adapt to everything we’re trying to build. In that sense, we know we have a full season ahead of us. The campaign has only just begun, and we have to keep fighting until the end.

Did the atmosphere and pitch conditions put extra pressure on the players in the late stages of the game?

No. For these players, no stadium or stage can ever be a burden.