Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said Tuesday his team should not feel inferior to Champions League opponents Manchester City, even without injured striker Kylian Mbappe.
The French superstar did not train ahead of Wednesday’s last 16 first leg because of a knee sprain and cannot face Pep Guardiola’s side at the Santiago Bernabeu, although Arbeloa said Mbappe is improving.
Madrid also have Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo Goes and Eder Militao sidelined among others, but the coach said the record 15-time kings of Europe had to be confident.
“We are Real Madrid and I think that we never feel lesser than anyone else,” Arbeloa told reporters.
“It doesn’t matter the circumstance, it doesn’t matter who is in front of us, we are Real Madrid and we should not feel inferior to anyone.
“Tomorrow we have an opponent we know well, the identity of the club, coach, players, what Manchester City is… but we’ll head into it full of hope.”
Mbappe was in France last week for tests and treatment on a knee sprain, which Arbeloa said was looking better.
“He’s a lot better, as I’ve said a lot over the last few weeks it’s something that we have to look at day by day,” said the Spaniard.
“All this week has been very positive, he’s come back feeling good and each day he’s doing better, so I hope he’s back soon.”
Without Mbappe, Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior will lead the attack for Real Madrid.
“He’s taking a lot of responsibility… we need the best of him if we’re going to knock out Manchester City,” added Arbeloa.
Arbeloa, who took over from Xabi Alonso in January, said his first two months in the job have been a “big learning experience”, and he is wary of Guardiola.
“He’s always good a surprise prepared, he’s a coach who in these kind of games has something different ready,” said Arbeloa.
Guardiola said that was not the case.
“It’s the first time we play against Alvaro. Honestly, no surprises,” he told reporters.
“Of course there are some adjustments we have to do for the quality they have.”
– ‘Be who you are’ –
The Catalan coach has lifted the Champions League three times in his coaching career, twice with Barcelona. He called on his team to be themselves at the Bernabeu, and not fear the spotlight or Madrid’s rich history.
By contrast to Los Blancos, Man City won the competition for the first and only time in 2023 under Guardiola.
“From my experience, arriving in finals of the Champions League, or semi-finals, if you are not who you are, it is more difficult,” Guardiola told reporters.
“You can be lucky in this competition, it’s not 38 games like in the Premier League or La Liga… sometimes you deserve to go through and it doesn’t happen, sometimes you play really badly and go through.
“I want to deserve to be in the next round and the only way you can deserve to be in the next round is being who you are — that is the only chance.”
Guardiola said his players should not let fears about being eliminated affect their approach in any way.
“We try face the opponent and don’t look much at the consequences,” he continued.
“If we’re out, we’re out. Congratulate Madrid… sometimes it’s not possible (to win) because the opponent is better, but at least try it, just try it.”
