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Exclusive: Alvaro Arbeloa Excited By Barcelona-Real Madrid

Goal.com spoke to the Blancos defender ahead of the trip to Camp Nou. He believes that his side are the Blaugrana's equals and are nearly ready to explode into action.

Nov 26, 2009 6:31:51 AM

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Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid (Goal.com)

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Arbeloa

Goal.com: What can Real Madrid take from the game against FC Zurich?

Alvaro Arbeloa: The best thing is the three points, to be one step nearer to the next stage and that we depend upon ourselves to go through as group winners.

Goal.com: Madrid are still being criticized for the way the team plays, but you have beaten some records in the league and are top of your Champions League group. Does the continuing criticism bother you?

Arbeloa: No, we agree with the criticism because we know that we are not playing our best football and that we have a team who can play much better. But we are confident that we will do that. Given more time I am sure that things will improve. We are also confident because, as you say, we are winning games and we have great statistics. We have done that without playing well and so when we do start playing well it will be great. But we are our own biggest critics and we know there are things that can be improved, but it is always easier to do that if you are winning at the same time.

Goal.com: You are going to play in your first Clasico. How do you feel ahead of the game, and how will you approach it?

Arbeloa: With great desire. As we have seen this week it is going to be a very difficult game because in Camp Nou they play great football and I am sure it will be a tremendous battle.

Goal.com: Do you think there is a favorite? Do you feel you are behind the champions?

Arbeloa: No, we do not feel less than Barca. It is clear that when you play in one one of these games home advantage is important but we will go there feeling confident that we can earn a great result.

Juan Lirman, Goal.com

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