Alvaro Arbeloa believes the 1-0 win over Espanyol is a good result for Real Madrid considering how hard they were pushed.
A Karim Benzema goal puts the Copa del Rey tie in Madrid’s favour ahead of the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu and Arbeloa was pleased to get out of Cornella-El Prat with the win.
“Espanyol pushed us hard. We had to work so this is a good result,” Arbeloa told reporters after the match.
“Not conceding a goal is part of the job for the whole team.
“We have to keep defending as well as that.”
Arbeloa started the game but has not been guaranteed his place this season as Coach Carlo Ancelotti has often turned to Dani Carvajal at right-back.
But the former Liverpool player has no problem with Ancelotti’s rotation, believing Ancelotti’s history as player means he deals with his squad particularly well.
“Carlo knows when to push you and when to hold back.
“You can tell he was a player. He understands us and he has to make those decisions.”
