English
Español
Real Madrid will be in action on Monday night as they get set to take on Getafe in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Having lost their previous league game against Osasuna, which led to them losing top spot in the standings to FC Barcelona, the Merengues will be eager to get things back on track in the Spanish top flight.
The spotlight will once again be on manager Alvaro Arbeloa, who has not had it easy since being handed the first-team reins over a month ago, but has done a solid job given all the challenges.
Jose Bordalas on Arbeloa and Real Madrid
And, ahead of the game on Monday, Getafe manager Jose Bordalas made sure to credit Arbeloa for the job he had done in the early days of his career at this level, while backing him for a bright future in the game.
“Arbeloa has just arrived. He’s a relatively new coach, but I have no doubt he has a great future ahead of him,” said Bordalas, as quoted by AS.
“I always wish the best for any colleague or teammate. The responsibility at Real Madrid is enormous, but I think he’s doing a good job,” he added.
Bordalas has praised Arbeloa ahead of their meeting. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Bordalas also lamented the absence of Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe for the match, as the Frenchman will be unavailable through injury.
“I always want the best players on the pitch. I love this sport and my profession, so I enjoy watching great footballers. It’s a shame that players of Mbappe’s caliber can’t participate, as that makes the spectacle even better,” he said.
On whether they have a chance of getting a positive result against Real Madrid after having strengthened the squad in the winter, Bordalas replied:
“Playing at the Bernabeu is always incredibly difficult. We’re facing an opponent that has improved in both their play and results.
“There’s a huge difference when we’re talking about world-class stars, but it’s clear that the more players and depth you have in your squad, the more options you have.”
When asked if he would be happy to return with a draw against Los Blancos, the Getafe head coach responded by saying:
“We always approach matches with the intention of getting a good result. Only after the final whistle can we make a true assessment.
“We know the level of difficulty is extremely high against Real Madrid, a team capable of beating anyone despite their absences.
“We go there with enthusiasm, a sense of responsibility, and the support of our fans, to whom we are incredibly grateful for their help throughout the season.”