Real Madrid full-back Alvaro Arbeloa has warned the rest of the squad they will have to be at their very best if they are to defeat city rivals Atletico de Madrid in the Champions League final and end their 12-year wait for the Decima.
Los Blancos take on Los Rojiblancos at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon on Saturday evening, with Diego Simeone’s team going into the match on a high having been crowned champions of Spain. They secured their first title in since 1996 with a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp on Saturday evening.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men knocked their neighbours out of the Copa del Rey at the semi-final stage this season, but failed to beat them in the league, losing at the Santiago Bernabeu and drawing at the Vicente Calderon. Atletico also won the last final played between the two sides – last season’s Copa del Rey.
And speaking to the media on Tuesday, Arbeloa said the Real players were well aware of the strength of their opponents, even if there are question marks over the fitness of Arda Turan and Diego Costa.
“We are working really hard and we want this week to be over with quickly because we are looking forward to the game,” he told journalists gathered at Valdebebas.
And he added: “They are playing well lately and it’s going to be hard for us because we have some injured players, but we will need to give our best to win this match. We are going to need the fans’ support because they play too, and we hope that Saturday is a great day for us!”
