Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa believes his team has no reason to feel second best when they face Manchester City in the Champions League, even with several key players unavailable, including French forward Kylian Mbappé.
Speaking ahead of the first leg of their last-16 clash at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Arbeloa made it clear that the history and mentality of Real Madrid demand confidence regardless of circumstances. Mbappé missed training before the encounter after suffering a knee sprain and is not expected to feature against Guardiola’s side, although the coach indicated the forward is steadily improving.
The Spanish side will also be without several other important names. Midfielder Jude Bellingham, winger Rodrygo, and defender Éder Militão are among those sidelined. Even with these setbacks, Arbeloa insisted that Madrid’s mentality remains unchanged.
According to him, the club never approaches any opponent feeling inferior. He stressed that the badge carries its own weight and responsibility, and that belief must remain the same regardless of the rival or the situation.
The coach acknowledged the quality of the English champions and the style they bring under Pep Guardiola, but maintained that Madrid will approach the game with optimism and confidence.
Mbappé recently travelled to France for further tests and treatment on his knee. Arbeloa explained that the situation is being monitored closely and that progress over the past week has been encouraging. The forward, he said, has returned feeling better and is improving each day, raising hopes that he could return sooner rather than later.
With Mbappé unavailable, much of the attacking responsibility is expected to fall on Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior. Arbeloa praised the winger’s willingness to step up, noting that the team will need his best performance if they are to overcome City.
Since taking charge in January following the departure of Xabi Alonso, Arbeloa described the opening months of his tenure as a valuable learning period. He also spoke with respect about Guardiola, warning that the experienced coach often finds ways to surprise opponents in major matches.
Guardiola, however, played down the idea that his side would introduce anything unexpected. The City manager noted that it will be his first meeting with Arbeloa on the touchline and suggested the focus would simply be on adjusting to the quality Madrid possess.
The Catalan tactician has won the Champions League three times in his managerial career, including two triumphs with FC Barcelona. He urged his players to remain true to their style when they step onto the Bernabéu pitch and not allow the occasion or Madrid’s rich European history to intimidate them.
Unlike their Spanish rivals, City lifted Europe’s most prestigious club trophy only once, claiming the title in 2023 under Guardiola. Drawing from his experience in the competition, he explained that teams must stay faithful to their identity in order to progress, especially in high-pressure knockout matches.
Guardiola also pointed out that the Champions League can be unpredictable. Unlike domestic leagues where consistency over many games decides the outcome, the tournament often turns on small moments. A team can dominate and still fall short, while another may advance despite an unconvincing performance.
For that reason, he encouraged his players to concentrate on their performance rather than worrying about the consequences. If elimination happens, he said, they must accept it and recognise the strength of their opponent. What matters most is approaching the match with courage and giving everything on the pitch.
