Alvaro Arbeloa, manager of Real Madrid, has called for focus, precision, and a fully committed 90-minute performance as his side prepare to face Benfica in Tuesday’s Champions League playoff first leg.

Fresh from a commanding 4-1 victory over an unbeaten Real Sociedad in LaLiga, Real travel to Lisbon on a three-game winning streak under Arbeloa. The Spaniard took charge only two weeks ago when Madrid suffered a 4-2 league defeat to Benfica.

That loss proved pivotal: with Benfica leading 3-2 and poised to exit, goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin ventured forward for a free kick and scored a dramatic 98th-minute header, sending Jose Mourinho’s side through to the playoff round on goal difference, denying Real automatic qualification to the last 16.

Arbeloa is under no illusions about the challenge ahead.

“To win, we will have to play very well, and to do that, we will have to do many things right. We will have to defend well and attack well. We will have to stay focused on set pieces. And we will have to play a very complete game for 90 minutes,” he said at Monday’s press conference.

The former Real defender credited his players for their rapid improvement since replacing Xabi Alonso.

“Since I arrived, I have seen a very positive attitude from all the players, and that has been key. In football, it’s much easier to be a manager than a player, because it’s easier to say what needs to be done than to do it.

“So much of the credit must go to the players — their effort and hard work. The good results come thanks to the players we have, who prepare for every match as if it were a final. And with that mentality, that high standard, good results are coming. But we are confident that we can go even further.”

Arbeloa also warned that Benfica, led by his former mentor Mourinho, will bring a familiar intensity.

“One thing is clear: their spirit will be very similar to three weeks ago. They have a leader in Mourinho who sets the tone, the way they play and compete,” he said.

“From there, there are small nuances. But they will be very competitive, tough. And we must be prepared. For us, it’s a new match, we’re not thinking about anything else. It’s a new match… and we want to perform well. There’s no other objective than to win.”