Arbeloa Denies "Sacred Cows" at Real Madrid, Praises Valverde and Güler's Brilliance

Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa denied any favoritism or preferential treatment for the team's stars at the Santiago Bernabéu, emphasizing the absence of "sacred cows" within the royal club. He explained during a press conference that players like Federico Valverde, Vinicius Junior, and Aurélien Tchouaméni earn their playing minutes based on their merit, efforts on the field, and contributions to the team, without any preconceived notions.

In this regard, Álvaro Arbeloa stated, "In the two months I have spent here, I have not felt the presence of any sacred cows. There are players like Valverde, Vinicius, and Tchouaméni who have earned their minutes on the field, and they are not sacred cows." He clarified that this conviction refutes narratives circulated throughout the season regarding the influence of certain players and their receiving special treatment different from their teammates.

On another note, the coach praised the recent goal-scoring form displayed by Uruguayan Federico Valverde, especially after netting 5 goals in his last 3 matches. He also expressed admiration for the performance of young Arda Güler, who scored what he described as a magnificent goal from midfield against Elche. This comes amidst club confirmations of star Kylian Mbappé's readiness to travel with the squad for the upcoming trip.

Regarding the anticipated Champions League clash against English side Manchester City, Arbeloa declined to offer any tactical advice to coach Pep Guardiola. He said, "I am not in a position to give him advice; his team knows each other very well, and they play with their eyes closed because they have been together for many years." Meanwhile, Real Madrid aims to maintain their three-goal advantage in the second leg to secure their spot in the next round.