‘We’re Real Madrid, we shouldn’t feel inferior’: Arbeloa ready

Álvaro Arbeloa began his 25th press conference since being promoted by insisting: "If I said Madrid are always favourites, that's what I think." Facing Manchester City in the last 16, he repeated the line that has become his refrain: "We are Real Madrid. We never feel less than anyone, regardless of the circumstances...

We’re Real Madrid, we shouldn’t feel inferior." The season has been uneven. A 6-0 win over Monaco followed an earlier Copa del Rey exit at second-division Albacete and a Bernabéu match greeted with whistles; a 2-0 victory at Villarreal suggested a turn, but a 4-2 reverse to Benfica soon unnerved hopes again.

Madrid have drawn City in the last 16 for the fifth season running — "It's curious that we play them every year," the director Emilio Butragueño said. Arbeloa has complained of little time to work: "In 50 days we've had more games than training sessions," and injuries have compounded the problem.

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