In the midst of a storm at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Alavés, but the atmosphere inside the stadium remains charged with tension and fierce criticism. Álvaro Arbeloa, the current interim coach of the Merengues, was forced to face a barrage of questions about the boos directed at his own players — a scenario that has already occurred three times this season, with Vinicius Júnior at the center of the criticism, despite being the hero of the match by scoring the decisive goal.
Arbeloa’s future at the helm of Real Madrid hangs in suspense, fueling speculation about who will be the next coach to take the reins of the club. However, the former full-back shows no personal concern, making it clear that what truly matters is the club’s fate and the collective performance of the team.
“It doesn’t matter what is at stake for me, but rather what is at stake for Real Madrid,” Arbeloa stated in exclusive comments to Diario AS after the final whistle. Regarding the extension of the season, which could turn into a nightmare if Barcelona confirms the La Liga title, the coach remains focused: “We have six games ahead of us and our goal is to win them all. We know that every match counts and we are concentrated on improving as a group. We have to fight in every game, regardless of the opponent.”
But the center of attention continues to be Vinicius Júnior. The young Brazilian, the main target of boos at the Bernabéu, not only responded on the pitch but also gained public support from Arbeloa, who highlighted the forward’s effort and bravery: “This is not the first time this has happened, as I always say. He makes a tremendous effort in difficult situations. We cannot deny his desire to do more and try. He has tremendous courage and feels a deep connection with the club’s emblem and jersey. I am happy when the fans reward him with applause.”
When asked about the reasons behind the boos, Arbeloa revealed a harsh but realistic truth: “I don’t feel that this is something generalized or that it falls solely on him. It is the demand of the stadium and the fans; they want the best from their players. I myself was booed when I played. What makes me happy is what he did today, turning the boos into applause. For me, that is the most important thing.”
As for the immediate future, the question of Vinicius’ contract renewal remains a mystery. “That’s not a question for me. I believe and hope that he stays at Real Madrid for many years,” Arbeloa responded, leaving the hope of stability for the young star hanging in the air.
Another episode that caused a stir was Jude Bellingham’s substitution shortly after the hour mark, which made the English midfielder’s discontent apparent. Arbeloa, however, preferred to downplay the incident: “He is recovering from where he came from. The other day in Munich, he played 90 minutes despite the injury. I don’t want to take risks before Friday’s match. With games like this, he wants to keep contributing and gaining more minutes. We shouldn’t make a drama out of this.”
Interestingly, Trent Alexander-Arnold retained his starting position over Dani Carvajal, a decision aimed at ensuring minutes for the Englishman, who is still fighting for a place in the England squad for the World Cup. Arbeloa justified the choice pragmatically: “I have 20 players, and I believe that any player from Real Madrid has a chance to go to the World Cup. I will always look for what is best for the team.”
As for Eduardo Camavinga, who came off the bench again after a disappointing performance against Bayern Munich and faced some boos, Arbeloa assured that the Frenchman is mentally strong: “He is doing well, letting his game speak for him again. He is a player with a lot of personality. Whenever I need him, he will be there. He has been important, whether starting or coming off the bench.”
With this victory, Real Madrid reduced the gap to Barcelona to six points ahead of their clash with Celta de Vigo. The Merengues will be back in action on Friday at 21:00 CEST against Real Betis, in a match that could be decisive for their final aspirations in La Liga.
The atmosphere at the Bernabéu remains explosive, filled with boos, consolation applause, and a team fighting to regain the confidence and glory that the club demands. Arbeloa, despite being interim, is determined to keep the flame alive and prepare the ground for what promises to be an electrifying end to the season.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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