Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa assesses Champions League showdown against Manchester City

Madrid – With a La Liga derby against Getafe looming on Monday, Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa used his pre-match press conference to balance immediate domestic concerns with the tantalising prospect of a Champions League Round-of-16 meeting against Manchester City.

Los Blancos surrendered top spot in the table after last weekend’s defeat to Osasuna and now trail Barcelona by four points, leaving Arbeloa under no illusions about the importance of the visit of Getafe. “We face the match with a lot of desire, focused and knowing the difficulty of the opponent,” he said. “Getafe are a very good coaching team with a coach who always brings out the best in his players. They are always a very uncomfortable opponent, capable of playing very close games. We know how difficult we are going to be tomorrow and we are looking forward to playing at home in front of our fans and getting the three points.”

While three points against Jose Bordalas’ side is the immediate target, Arbeloa also cast an eye toward March’s European assignment. Madrid were paired with holders Manchester City in Monday’s draw, setting up a repeat of recent high-stakes encounters between the clubs. “It is going to be an exciting duel between two great clubs,” Arbeloa noted. “It is a tie that the Madridistas like a lot because of the size of the opponent. When the time comes, we will prepare it to the maximum, knowing the demand it will entail.”

The first leg at the Bernabeu is scheduled for 11 March, and La Liga has already responded by bringing forward Madrid’s league fixture with Celta Vigo to the preceding Friday. Arbeloa endorsed the move, saying: “The Champions League has been going on for a long time. It can condition you a little, like everything. With the schedules, the most logical thing has been done taking into account the Champions League ties that we have and that everyone has, including Atlético and Barcelona. I think that in this case the most logical thing has been done.”

Away from tactics and timetables, Arbeloa was asked about Vinicius Junior’s resurgence since he took the reins at the club. The Brazilian winger has rediscovered his best form in recent weeks, a development the coach attributes primarily to the player himself. “I don’t know if I’ve done anything. The credit goes to Vinicius, who is a fantastic, extraordinary footballer,” Arbeloa said. “My only merit, if I have any, is to give him a lot of confidence, a lot of affection, and that his teammates look for him and above all find him in situations where he can bring out his talent and the greatest of his qualities, which is to face, which is to dribble, which is to be able to run at opponents, which is to be able to have one-on-one situations.”

Arbeloa added: “He is a determinant, fundamental player. As a coach, the only thing I work on is that in the more situations we can find Vinicius where he can exploit his qualities. I think we will play better and be more dangerous.”

With a derby to negotiate first and a European heavyweight clash on the horizon, Arbeloa’s message was clear: focus on Getafe, then ready themselves for the spectacle against Manchester City.