Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa appeared at a press conference to discuss tomorrow's match against Benfica in the first leg of the playoff qualifying for the UEFA Champions League round of 16, at the "Da Luz" stadium.

The coach said in his speech: "We know the difficulty of tomorrow's match, the atmosphere of this stadium, and the size of the challenge it always represents for us. We must give our utmost to win, as that is the goal."

He added, "Are you planning to invite Mourinho to the gray couch? No, well if I invite him, it would be for lunch. He doesn't need to sit there. You know we are good friends, we wish each other the best, and we have a very great relationship."

He continued: "Do you think Mourinho's return to Real Madrid would be a good idea? As I said, I can only wish José the best always. My goal is to eliminate Benfica, and then I hope he wins everything, and I wish him all the success."

He continued: "What percentage of the credit goes to you given the positive results you are achieving? I don't know... I don't think in percentages. Since my arrival, I have seen great readiness from all the players, and that was a key factor. In football, it's easier to be a coach than a player because saying what should be done is easier than executing it. Therefore, a large part of the credit goes to the players for their effort and work. Good results come thanks to the group that approaches every match as if it were a final. With this mentality and ambition, results are achieved, but we are confident that we can offer more."

He added: "My speech to the players will be technical, as always. To win, we must play very good football, and to achieve that, we need to do many things correctly. We must defend well, attack well, be focused on set pieces, and deliver a complete performance throughout the entire ninety minutes."

Regarding tomorrow's match: "I expect a team with greater individual solutions, but their spirit will be similar to what it was three weeks ago. They have a leader who charts the course and style of play and competition. There may be small details that differ, but it will be a competitive and strong team, and we must be prepared for that."

Regarding Jose Mourinho's statements that Real Madrid is wounded after the league loss and whether they are thinking about revenge: "No, we always think about winning. Our goal is not just to eliminate Benfica but to win the Champions League. Advancing past the round is not revenge, but a goal."

He added, "The players welcomed me wonderfully from the first day. The goal is the same: to work and win. Their readiness was at the highest level. It's true that we haven't spent much time together, but I can't ask for more than for them to continue with the same mentality."

He emphasized, "Did Mourinho surprise you three weeks ago in the league stage? No, I don't think he can surprise me. I know exactly what he is capable of. I said earlier that even if they played with the youth team, the intensity of their performance would be at its maximum, and tomorrow it will be the same. They are even capable of playing better, and we must be prepared for that. We all need to be aware of what awaits us."

"Do you think your team is more solid with four midfielders? We came from the Villarreal match, and that day we didn't play with that system. The goal is to always be solid. In modern football, it's difficult to play well if you're not cohesive and organized and don't know how to press high. To execute all of that, you need great focus, intensive work, and training. Valverde, Camavinga, Tchouaméni, and Güler are doing a great job. When the team is solid, it's thanks to the work of ten players."

Regarding Kylian Mbappe's situation: "He is here with us, he will train, and tomorrow you will see whether he will play or not."

He concluded: "How do you expect the Bernabéu to welcome Mourinho? He will be received with great applause because Real Madrid fans recognize everything José has given to the club. He gave everything and more, and I am sure he will receive a warm welcome."