Arbeloa: Our Season Ended Today, This is What We Need

Álvaro Arbeloa appeared before the media in the press room at Camp Nou following the 2-0 loss to Barcelona in the 35th round of the Spanish league, a result that officially awarded Barça the title.

The coach began talking about the elbow incident inside the penalty area involving Jude Bellingham, saying: "To me, it seemed clear that there was an elbow, and we need to ask why the video assistant referee did not intervene. I congratulate Barcelona on winning the league today in a match that went in their favor very early on, and now we have to continue with the remaining three matches."

He added about his message to the fans: "We can't say much because we understand the frustration, disappointment, and dissatisfaction the public must feel about this season. All we can do is work, look to the future, and learn from everything we did wrong this year. We know that Real Madrid always comes back. We are a team that has fallen many times and risen many times, but at this moment, I understand the anger of any Madrid fan as we feel it too. This is very clear, and we have to work to turn the current situation around."

He continued: "Will Mbappe be able to play this season? I don't know, there are two weeks left, and depending on the development of the pain he is currently experiencing, we will see if he can play or not. I wished he would be fully ready and able to play from the start, that's what I truly hoped for."

Regarding the final stage of the season: "I will approach it with greater responsibility, and I know that our season ended today, but we cannot give up in any way. There are three matches we must enter to win. We are here defending something much bigger than everyone and bigger than our reputation. It's the Real Madrid crest and millions of fans. We have to prove that we are truly hurt by delivering three great matches and three big victories."

Regarding the match: "Things became very difficult for us early on. We were up against a great team, a very good team when they take the lead. They manage possession excellently while moving many players, and they are a very organized team that played a great match. It's unfortunate that we didn't capitalize on some of the chances we had, even with a 2-0 scoreline, to see that we were capable of coming back. It wasn't an easy scenario for the players, and I asked them to fight until the end regardless of the result, and that's what we tried to do."

Regarding the team's future: "We have a strong lineup from which we can extract a lot. I don't want it to sound like an excuse, but it's clear that the past few months haven't been easy due to numerous injuries among key players. Nevertheless, the club is always looking to improve, even though we have outstanding players that any team in Europe would wish to have. Now, we just need to focus on the future and identify all the things we need to correct and do better in the next season. There's nothing more from our side."

He continued: "How can the foundations of the team be established? I believe this is not for me to analyze. As I have said on many occasions, we need a collective step forward, to have a much clearer idea of what we want to do, and to put the collective interest above the individual. Beyond talent, we must have a very clear idea, and for me, that is the foundation. We must also learn that we lost many points against teams and in matches where we shouldn't have. You can play against Barcelona and lose, as they are a team of your level, but there are many matches we cannot afford to lose as we did, and this is certainly one of the most important lessons."

Regarding his personal future: "There will certainly be a conversation with the club as is natural. Right now, what I want is for the team to finish the season well and not give up in these three matches. I believe there are opportunities for players who train well to get minutes, contribute, and finish the season on the field. This will be my goal and what I will focus on over the next two weeks. As for what will happen in the future, we will know after the end of the season."

He concluded regarding Hausen's absence despite being in the starting lineup, "He wanted to play, but he felt he lacked strength and was very weak during the warm-up. So, it was my decision for Raúl Asensio to start because I believed that in a match like this, we needed energy in all positions, and that's why I made this decision."