Real Madrid right-back Alvaro Arbeloa has said fitness work is more important than results in pre-season and the whole squad is working hard to get into shape ahead of the new campaign.
Los Blancos lost 1-0 to Roma on Tuesday night in Dallas in the International Champions Cup, their second defeat in the USA after missing out on penalties to Inter Milan at the weekend.
But despite being knocked out of the tournament with a game left – they play Manchester United in Ann Arbor next – Arbeloa said the most important aspect of the trop to the US was for the players to prepare well for the challenges that lie ahead.
Speaking about the loss, the Spain international stated: “The side gave their all and the youngsters were good. The important thing is to play some minutes and improve. We have to think about Saturday’s game. They are days to get ready and to get into form and a rhythm in order to improve. After the World Cup there’s been a lot of absentees, but the players are returning. We are happy and working well. It is a good pre-season despite the results”.
And he continued: “We are missing important players, we have to carry on working and adapting, and we will improve as we look to find our best version. We have spent a while doing this and we know at the start it’s always difficult.”
Despite neither of the two most recent signings playing yet, Arbeloa expressed his delight at having James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos on board.
“They’re two players known all over the world, two great signings who will improve the side in positions where we also have great players, because we have a very competitive squad,” he commented.
Yes I hope we can get the job done and go out with a good win against Man U with most of the Europe clubs big guns watching and focused on this High Profile Game. it would be in Everyones Interest to win Big Time I think all the players know this the Game of Win the Ego Champions Press and Going Forward as The EU Champions
I am glad its a Friendly Highly talked about with the New Van Gaal as Manager of Man U They are on a high with two wins all to play for going to be very interesting who comes out on top and can only be Hala Madrid 3-1
Impossible to win. Premiere league starts 2 weeks in advance than La Liga and they are well ahead in match fitness.
And most of our best players are still on holiday or in Spain.
Lets get to the proper match fitness and recover all our injured players. These results count nothing.