MX23RW : Thursday, January 16 01:06:36| >> :120:26349:26349:

Alvaro Arbeloa: 'Rafael Benitez will improve Real Madrid'

Alvaro Arbeloa is adamant that Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez will improve the players as they hunt a first Liga title since 2012.

Real Madrid right-back Alvaro Arbeloa has backed coach Rafael Benitez to prove successful during his time in charge of the Spanish giants.

The 55-year-old replaced axed Carlo Ancelotti in the summer as president Florentino Perez opted for changes after the Blancos endured a trophyless season last term.

Benitez previously signed Arbeloa for Liverpool in 2007, and the 32-year-old is convinced that Real will improve collectively and individually as a result of his methods.

"Once it became known that he was going to return, everyone started asking me about [Benitez]," he told the Madrid official website.

"Rafa is a very methodical coach, a very hard worker, highly demanding and I assure you that we are going to become better players."

Real, who drew 0-0 away to Sporting Gijon in their Liga opener before beating Real Betis 5-0 last time out, face Espanyol away on Saturday afternoon.

The Blancos, who won the Champions League under Ancelotti in 2014, have not won a Liga title since the 2011-12 campaign.

ID:245311: cacheID:245311:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2422:
Written by
Shane Callaghan
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring his second goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Real Betis Balompie at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on August 29, 2015
Read Next:
Preview: Espanyol vs. Real Madrid
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico19135134122244
2Real Madrid19134243192443
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal198653431330
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad198471713428
8GironaGirona198472725228
9Rayo Vallecano196762222025
10Real BetisBetis196762123-225
11Osasuna196762328-525
12Celta Vigo197392830-224
13Sevilla196582128-723
14Las PalmasLas Palmas196492429-522
15Getafe194781316-319
16Leganes194781829-1119
17AlavesAlaves1945102131-1017
18Espanyol1944111731-1416
19Real ValladolidValladolid1943121337-2415
20Valencia1927101829-1113


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!