"Alvaro Arbeloa said Jose Mourinho was "one of us" as Real Madrid prepare to face their former bosses current side, Benfica, in the Champions League on Wednesday. Madrid are third in the 36-team standings and travel to the Estadio da Luz knowing that a victory will seal their spot in the top eight and automatic qualification for the last 16."
""I said it on my first day [as coach], there will never be anyone like Jose," Arbeloa said. "Jose always was, is and always will be one of us. "Anyone who tries to imitate him will fail, and I've understood that from day one. My success will be being myself." Arbeloa took over from another former Mourinho player, Xabi Alonso, earlier this month, and has bounced back from Los Blancos' shock Copa del Rey exit to Albacete."
"The Madrid coach said he'd stayed in touch with Mourinho in the years since they were together at the Bernabeu, but had resisted looking for managerial advice too often. "I know who Mourinho is, I know what his phone must be like," Arbeloa said. "You can understand why he changes his number so often. "I've tried to 'bother' him as little as possible."
Real Madrid need a win at Benfica to secure a top-eight finish and automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16. Benfica sit 29th with six points from seven group games and must claim all three points to keep play-off hopes alive. Arbeloa praised Jose Mourinho as "one of us" and a role model, recalling their shared trophies at Real Madrid. Arbeloa replaced Xabi Alonso this month and has overseen three straight wins since his debut defeat, including a 6-1 victory over Monaco. Arbeloa says he has kept in touch with Mourinho but avoids frequent managerial advice.
Read at Soccer News
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