Real Madrid News
Alvaro Arbeloa talks Mbappe, Ceballos, controversial refereeing after Real Betis 1-1 Real Madrid
Real Madrid dropped two more points in the title race on Friday night, continuing their poor run of form and handing Barcelona a potential 11-point lead in the standings.
Vinicius Jr. opened the scoring on the night in the 17th minute, opening up a cushion that the team tried to build on.
Unfortunately, however, they could not find a second goal and continued to defend their lead as Real Betis mounted the pressure after the break.
Eventually, the hosts found a goal via Hector Bellerin and stole a draw.
Arbeloa’s analysis
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa spoke to the media after his team’s draw against Real Betis on Friday night and admitted that the result was a disappointing one for his side.
“It is clear that we took another disappointment in the last minutes, as has happened to us many times, and it is a result that I think we did not deserve because we have had opportunities.
“There is also a very clear penalty in the first half that I think we could have closed the game,” he added.
Elaborating on the potential penalty incident that he felt his side was hard done by, Arbeloa explained how it was a blatant foul.
“It’s a clear foul on Mendy for Betis’ goal. The problem is that the referees need to understand football, but sometimes they don’t understand it.”
The coach then went on to blame the referee for the defeat, claiming that the poor decisions and officiating cost the team two points.
“For me, it is something very basic in the world of football, but it is not the first time that something like this has happened to us and I think there are two decisions that mark the game a lot.”
Arbeloa was then asked about Kylian Mbappe, who left the field in the 81st minute with discomfort, and admitted that the player felt a niggle.
“Mbappé coming off? Kylian has had some discomfort, I don’t really know what it is. We’ll see in the next few days.”
He then made a massive statement when asked why Dani Ceballos had not travelled with the team, indicating that the Spaniard had fallen out of favour.
“Why did Ceballos not travel? Is there a problem? I always call up those I consider appropriate.”
Finally, Arbeloa was asked about his side conceding a goal in virtually the last kick of the game, to which he disappointedly said,
“We don’t have a clear reason why this is happening to us in the final minutes; if we knew we would have already corrected it.”
Source: Real Madrid website
In a major update, AS reports that former Real Madrid midfielder and club legend Toni Kroos has taken his first step towards starting his coaching career.
The former Germany international has told the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) that he is interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers.
Real Madrid tried to bring Kroos back
It is no secret that Real Madrid considered bringing Toni Kroos back into the club’s structure after the end of the last season.
The club president, Florentino Perez, had wanted Kroos to have a daily presence at Valdebebas rather than making occasional appearances after his retirement.
Jose Angel Sanchez and Kroos spoke after Perez expressed his desire to see the German working at Valdebebas every day. However, they did not find the right moment, time or structure to give his return a clear form.
A comeback remains one of the possibilities most desired by Madrid supporters because of Kroos’ charisma and what he represents at the Santiago Bernabeu. Neither side wanted him to return simply for the sake of it, so the door remains open for the future.
The relationship between the two parties is excellent, and both know that the opportunity to work together again will eventually come.
Taking it step by step
For now, Kroos continues to run the academy he established in Boadilla, enjoying the opportunity to help develop younger players.
After two years away from the competitive side of football, however, he is beginning to look towards the dugout as a possible next step in his career.
Kroos currently holds coaching qualifications that allow him to work up to the third tier of Spanish football.
This is possible because professionals with at least seven years of proven experience and significant involvement at the elite level can gain direct access to accelerated coaching courses.
That means Kroos could coach a team in Primera Federacion, but the German wants to take things gradually.
Kroos has already informed the RFEF that he would be interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers during the 2027/28 season.
The course taking place this season is not available to elite former players, with UEFA limiting each campaign to 20 places.
With his current qualifications, Kroos could work as an assistant coach, but he cannot yet take charge as a head coach in either the top flight or the Segunda División.
But completing that programme would allow Kroos to obtain the UEFA A licence, which would enable him to coach teams at any level.
