Real Madrid News
Future of Real Madrid coach hangs in the balance; UCL to decide everything
Heading into this weekend’s round of fixtures, Real Madrid were firmly in contention for two trophies this season – the La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
But following a shock defeat to Mallorca, Real Madrid are one step out of the exit door, as far as the race for the league title is concerned, with Barcelona extending their lead at the top to seven points.
This leaves Real Madrid in a precarious position, and it could reflect on the future of Alvaro Arbeloa, the head coach.
Arbeloa faces uncertain future
According to Sky Sports (h/t RM4Arab), Arbeloa is facing an uncertain future at Santiago Bernabeu, especially after the shock defeat to Mallorca.
Real Madrid are aware that their chances of winning the La Liga are slim, now that Barcelona have secured a seven-point lead, with just eight matches remaining.
This leaves Los Blancos with just the Champions League to play for, in what has been truly a disappointing season.
This could have a bearing on Arbeloa’s future. After all, it was under the Spaniard that Real Madrid were knocked out of the Copa Del Rey and now quite possibly the La Liga as well.
If Arbeloa’s men cannot navigate the challenge of Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League this midweek, there could be serious question marks over his continuity.
It is no secret that Real Madrid are already on the lookout for potential coaches who can replace Arbeloa, having been closely linked with a move for Jurgen Klopp.
The coming game against Bayern Munich, therefore, will be a litmus test for Arbeloa as he looks to once again, although repeating the feat achieved against Man City could prove to be much more difficult against Vincent Kompany’s in-form Bayern team.
Real Madrid will be gunning for their fourth consecutive win in La Liga tonight when they take on Real Betis away at Estadio de La Cartuja.
The Merengues, led by Jose Mourinho, are one of two clubs to have maintained a perfect start to the season, along with arch-rivals Barcelona, and will be intent on carrying the streak forward.
Ahead of kickoff , Real Madrid have announced the starting lineup that will take the field against Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
And, Mourinho has made a few changes to the side that started against Malaga last weekend.
Arda Guler, who scored Real Madrid’s fourth goal in the last game, gets the nod on the right flank ahead of Brahim Diaz.
Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., and Jude Bellingham make up the rest of the attacking contingent for the record European champions. Meanwhile, marquee summer signing Yan Diomande continues on the bench.
There is no change in midfield as the manager has opted to stick with the pivot pairing of Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde, leaving Bernardo Silva out.
However, Mourinho has made a couple of switches in defence, with Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konate coming into the team, replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold and Antonio Rudiger, respectively.
Dean Huijsen and Marc Cucurella complete the rest of the backline that shields Thibaut Courtois in goal.
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