Real Madrid secured a vital 2-0 victory against Espanyol, keeping their faint La Liga title aspirations alive. The win postponed Barcelona’s championship celebrations to at least the following weekend’s El Clasico.
Following the match, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa lauded Real Madrid’s matchwinner, Vinicius Junior, who scored both goals.
“He has played another great game, scoring two fantastic goals and leading the attack. He was a constant threat, demonstrating aggression, intelligence, bravery, and consistency. I substituted him to avoid risking him for the Clásico. He had a stellar performance once again, also contributing defensively, which I greatly appreciate. As I’ve stated for months, he is a fantastic player, a natural leader, a beloved teammate, and a wonderful person. I feel incredibly fortunate to have him on the team.”
Arbeloa Addresses Mbappe’s Commitment
During his post-match press conference, Arbeloa was questioned about Kylian Mbappe’s absence from the stadium. He firmly dismissed any suggestions of reduced commitment from the French international.
“I have no doubts about the commitment of any of my players. They all understand the significance of these matches. When you represent Real Madrid, you grasp the club’s demands. Our philosophy is clear: no single player is bigger than Real Madrid. I believe all my players fully comprehend this, recognizing what they represent, where they are, and the importance of it all. We are all lucky to be at Real Madrid.”
Updates on Mbappe and Carvajal for El Clasico
Arbeloa also provided an update on the availability of Mbappe and club captain Dani Carvajal for the upcoming El Clasico at the Spotify Camp Nou.
“We will assess Mbappe’s condition throughout this week. Initial tests last week suggested a longer recovery period, but we will monitor his progress. The same applies to Carvajal. I am very hopeful he can play before the season concludes, recover, and bid farewell to the season on the pitch, which is what Dani Carvajal truly deserves.”