Alvaro Arbeloa fuels Iker Casillas-Thibaut Courtois debate about best goalkeeper in Real Madrid history: 'No doubt'

Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has pushed back on the debate about the best goalkeeper in the club's history. The Belgian made another stunning save on Wednesday night against Manchester City, keeping his clean sheet and adding another highlight to his important catalog.

After the 3-0 victory at the Bernabeu, Arbeloa told the press that he had never seen anyone like Courtois, which got the ball rolling in the debate over whether Courtois or Iker Casillas was the best in the club's history. 'San Iker' It is an academy that has strongly tugged at the hearts of Madridistas, but Arbeloa doubled down on Friday, calling Courtois the best in Real Madrid's history.

"I have played with the best goalkeepers in the world, some of whom are considered the best in history, but what Courtois does I have never seen from anyone else. There is no doubt that he is the best goalkeeper in Real Madrid's history for me."

Real Madrid surpasses Manchester City on Wednesday

Last month one of the stats that made the rounds often after a big defeat was the total distance run by the team. Real Madrid struggled in last season's matchup with Arsenal in the Champions League last 16, but Arbeloa said they performed better than Manchester City on Wednesday.

"The data I have doesn't tell me that. We ran slightly more similar distances at high intensity. The data is outstanding but it tells a different story. There's the tactical side, the quality, the mentality. It's not just about running, it's important but we're a team that runs less than the opposition, we give a lot of support, we sacrifice ourselves... They gave their all, that has to be the mentality, we have to try to make sure it's not just one time.”

Real Madrid Fitness and Injuries

After releasing Xabi Alonso at the beginning of last season, fitness coach Antonio Pintus was brought back with Arbeloa once again. The above data shows a positive trajectory since, but equally, Real Madrid host Elche on Saturday with nine absences through injury.

“Everyone carries out their own analysis,” Arbeloa responded. “All I can say about Pintus is that he is a great professional. It is a privilege to have him by my side. We will continue to work with him and hope we can maintain this for what comes next.”

"I don't get compliments. I know next time I miss there will be doubts about me again. It's normal. It's not about me, it's about being in this position. The pressure is high. A man who has won the Champions League so many times here faces criticism so often that I can't understand it. Nothing new for me, no surprises. I just think about beating Elche and making sure my players are healthy and bringing us happiness."

Los Blancos will try to narrow the gap to just one point at the top of the table at home to Elche (21:00 CEST) on Saturday before they travel to face Manchester City at the Etihad on Tuesday night.

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Los Blancos จะพยายามลดช่องว่างให้เหลือเพียงจุดเดียวที่ด้านบนของตารางที่บ้านไปยังเอลเช่ (21:00 CEST) ในวันเสาร์ก่อนที่พวกเขาจะเดินทางไปเผชิญหน้ากับแมนเชสเตอร์ซิตี้ที่เอทิฮัดในคืนวันอังคาร