Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Wednesday, 08 April 2026, 08:38 / Updated Wednesday, 08 April 2026 08:39
Real Madrid lost, 1-2, the first leg of the “double” with Bayern in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The return is scheduled for March 15.
Bayern were at one point 2-0 up at the 'Santiago Bernabeu' thanks to goals scored by Luis Diaz (41st minute) and Harry Kane (46th minute). But Kylian Mbappe brought hope back to the Real Madrid camp (min.74) for the return from Munich, and coach Alvaro Arbeloa insisted on this aspect at the press conference.
Alvaro Arbeloa: “You pay if you make such mistakes”
“I think it's a loss we could have avoided with a little bit more luck. We had two turnovers that we should have avoided, and against teams like this, if you make mistakes like that, you pay. But we're still alive.
And if there's one team that can win in Munich, it's Real Madrid. We are Real Madrid, we know how difficult it is to win there, but we will go for it”, was the message of the Spanish technician.
Alvaro Arbeloa explains why he introduced Jude Bellingham late: 'He was out for a long time'
Arbeloa was criticized for calling too late on a Bellingham that considerably revived Real's play in the second half, but he recalled that the English international is coming after a long period of inactivity.
“It's not that I don't want to play Jude, it's that he was out of the field for a long time. I don't doubt the trust I have in him. It makes sense to gradually reintroduce him. We need a player like him, who can dribble and overcome the opponents. He has character and personality, I see him improving and he will help us a lot in Munich”, pointed out the Spanish technician.
Alvaro Arbeloa defends Carreras: “I don't blame him, I have the same confidence in him”
On Carreras' mistakes in Real's goals conceded, Arbeloa said that “all goals are scored on the back of mistakes by the opponent. When you try to play the ball, you have to be ready to close the game quickly if there is a loss of possession. Otherwise, what happened to us happens.
We didn't have enough players to cover those losses of possession, which cost us. But I don't blame Carreras, it's difficult to play against Olise, one of the best wingers in the world. I have the same confidence in him.”
