Real Madrid: Why the Champions League match between Benfica is a pivotal moment for Alvaro Arbeloa

Since the defeat in Lisbon last January, Arbeloa has made some changes, including tweaking Real Madrid’s formation.

That match was the last time he played in a 4-3-3 formation, with Franco Mastantuono, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior starting up front.

In Real Madrid’s next three matches, Arbeloa changed to a 4-4-2 formation, with Mastantuono returning to midfield to leave Gonzalo Garcia, Vinicius and Mbappe as rotating striker options.

“Defensively, it is a structure that closes the midfield corridor, where there are more players, and allows us to be more compact,” Arbeloa said.

“With the quality of players we have, if we want to counter-attack, it also allows us to do that. We have a lot of room for improvement. I’m very happy because, beyond systems, the key is effort, mentality and teamwork, and we are achieving that.”

In response to a question about whether his team was stronger with four players in midfield, Arbeloa explained, “The goal is to always be solid.”

He added: “It is very difficult these days to play good football if you are not strong and composed and do not know how to press high up the pitch.”

“To do all that, you need a lot of focus, a lot of work and training. [Federico] valverde, [Eduardo] camavinga, [Aurelien] Chowamini, W [Arda] Guler does a great job [in midfield]”I don’t need to tell them anything new.”