Real Madrid will “keep fighting” as long as it has a mathematical chance of winning La Liga after falling four points behind Barcelona, coach Alvaro Arbeloa said under pressure on Thursday.
Los Blancos visit Celta Vigo on Friday, hoping to come within one point of Barcelona ahead of the reigning champions’ match at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
Madrid lost their lead at the top of the table with defeat to Osasuna a fortnight ago, before being humiliated at home by Getafe last weekend to tighten their control over Arbeloa.
«We are four points behind, not 18. This is Real Madrid. As long as we can fight mathematically, we will, and if there ever comes a time when we can no longer fight, we will still keep fighting,» said Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso as coach in January.
“In the dressing room we are aware that there is still a large part of the season to go.
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«We have had two league defeats in a row. At a club like Real Madrid, a defeat is of course always difficult to deal with because of the expectations and the pressure, but at the moment we are only thinking about tomorrow’s match.»
Madrid has been hit hard by injuries in recent weeks.
Brazilian winger Rodrygo Goes joined Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Eder Militao on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury against Getafe, which is likely to see him miss the World Cup in the summer.
Central defender Dean Huijsen will also sit out the Celta match due to suspension.
“When you win and everyone plays well, it is easy to wear this shirt,” added Arbeloa, who insisted he would not make “excuses” over the injuries.
«We must now show our true potential. It is moments like these that you see if we are worthy of wearing this shirt and this badge.»
Real Madrid will host Manchester City next Wednesday in the first leg of the eighth finals of the Champions League.
Mbappe has traveled to Paris for treatment on his knee injury and Bellingham is in London, where both hope to recover in time for the clash with City.
Arbeloa said all decisions regarding the players’ fitness would be made «by Real Madrid’s medical services».
Published on March 5, 2026
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