Coach Alvaro Arbeloa: 'Real Madrid will win the reverse in the return match'

After the 1-2 defeat against Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League 2025/26 quarter-finals, Coach Alvaro Arbeloa candidly pointed out Real Madrid's mistakes and still believes in the chance to turn the tide.

Early morning April 8 (Vietnam time), Real Madrid disappointed by losing 1-2 to Bayern Munich at home, within the framework of the first leg of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 quarter-finals. After the match, Coach Alvaro Arbeloa gave detailed statements, candidly pointing out the reasons for the Royal club's defeat.

First, Arbeloa expressed regret that Real Madrid did not capitalize on opportunities: “We still have a chance to win the reverse in the return match. It is unfortunate that we could not convert any of the chances we created into goals.”

The Spanish tactician also acknowledged issues in the team's tactical execution: “That was not the plan when we retreated so deeply. Perhaps that allowed them to control the match more.”

Additionally, Arbeloa particularly emphasized his players' ability to handle the ball under pressure: “We missed moments when we needed to keep possession and withstand the very intense pressing pressure they applied. They scored two goals from situations where we lost the ball.”

Not hiding his disappointment, he added: “We talked a lot before the match about avoiding losing possession, but unfortunately it still happened.”

This defeat also carries a particularly negative significance as Real Madrid lost to Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium for the first time in 25 years.

Nevertheless, Arbeloa still maintains belief in a comeback in the return match: “The whole team accepted the risk when the score was 1-2, because if it were 1-3 things would become much more complicated. But we still have hope - Real Madrid can win on any stadium.”

He also revealed an exchange with Vinicius Junior during the match: “Yes, I told Vinicius at minute 70 that we only needed one goal to keep hope alive, and the whole team must not lose composure.”

With this result, Real Madrid will enter the return match with the mandatory task of scoring at least one goal to push the match into extra time, or two goals to secure passage.