Álvaro Arbeloa reacted after a suffered victory by Real Madrid against Rayo Vallecano
The Spaniard head coach gave his point of view about the match and the things that they need to improve.
The final whistle at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday night signaled much more than just three points for the "Merengue" squad. As the referee blew for full time, Álvaro Arbeloa—the man from Santa María del Páramo—stood on the touchline and let out a sigh that was a palpable mix of relief and satisfaction. In a season defined by high-pressure stakes and constant scrutiny, this hard-fought victory was exactly the tonic needed to settle nerves and validate the coach’s immediate priority: restoring security through positive results.
The Bernabéu as a Shield
Following the encounter, Arbeloa was quick to credit the fans. The support from the stands was not just background noise; it was a tactical ally. Arbeloa was vocal in praising the "Madridistas," stating that the constant push from the crowd was instrumental in breaking down a stubborn Almería side.
Almería arrived in the capital with an aggressive, highly demanding proposal that forced Real Madrid into a game of physical attrition. The visitors offered very few concessions, making every transition a battle. Arbeloa highlighted that while his side hit the woodwork twice and created several clear-cut chances, they had to remain persistent until the very end. For the coach, this "never-say-die" attitude is a competitive trait he wants to cement as a permanent fixture of his tenure.
The "Recovery Trap" vs. Tactical Training
Beyond the scoreline, the timing of this win is of paramount importance. The upcoming calendar provides a rare luxury in modern football: a two-week window for focused training. Since taking the reins, Arbeloa has faced a grueling schedule where the sheer volume of matches forced the coaching staff into a "recovery loop."
"When you play every three days, you have to prioritize physical recovery over tactical work," Arbeloa explained in the post-match press conference. This constant rotation has prevented the team from polishing essential details or automating collective movements. The lack of time on the training pitch has been one of the primary obstacles in developing a distinct "Arbeloa identity" for the squad.
Two Weeks to Rebuild the Foundation
For the technical staff, these next two weeks represent a significant shift in direction. This isn't just a rest period; it’s a mini-preseason. Arbeloa plans to use this time to:
- Refine Tactical Concepts: Moving beyond basic defensive shapes to more complex offensive transitions.
- Individual Focus: Returning to technical work with specific players whose development had been sidelined by the urgency of the match calendar.
- Mental Reset: Using the confidence from the Almería win to lower the anxiety levels within the locker room.
Arbeloa understands that to make performance sustainable over time, the team must return to the fundamentals of elite training. The victory on Saturday provided the necessary breathing room to allow this work to happen without the immediate "shadow" of a must-win game hanging over every session.
The message coming out of Valdebebas is clear: winning was necessary to survive the storm, but utilizing the upcoming break is essential to winning the war. With renewed confidence and, finally, time on his side, Álvaro Arbeloa is looking to turn this gritty victory into the starting point of a more solid, stable, and dominant Real Madrid.
