MU Shorts
How Alvaro Arbeloa has improved Real Madrid and won credit in the locker room
Alvaro Arbeloa’s start as Real Madrid manager was far from smooth. Promoted from Castilla in January with no senior coaching experience, following the sacking of Xabi Alonso, he lost his first game to Albacete.
Furthermore, the former defender oversaw a downturn in La Liga form that turned a two-point lead over Barcelona into a four-point deficit. As such, his appointment was met with uncertainty, and early results only increased speculation about his future.
In recent weeks, however, the situation has shifted. Progress to the Champions League quarter-finals after two wins over Manchester City, combined with improved performances, has strengthened his position.
The mood around Arbeloa has changed significantly, and much of that is down to how he has managed the squad, reports Mario Cortegana of The Athletic.
Approach appreciated by the players
One of the main issues under Alonso was a lack of rapport with key players. His methods, which included heavy video analysis, increased training intensity, and stricter discipline, were not well received by a significant part of the squad. Even some regular starters were unhappy.
Under Arbeloa, that dynamic has changed. The relationship between staff and players is now closer, and his approach is more appreciated.
He is seen as more approachable, maintaining regular and direct communication. Players frequently speak with him in his office, and he also initiates conversations himself. This has had visible effects on individuals.
For example, Brahim Diaz, previously on the fringes, spoke with Arbeloa and was then brought into the starting lineup against Celta Vigo. He has remained a starter since, including both matches against Manchester City, performing well.
Lesser restrictions
Another clear difference from Alonso’s tenure is the reduction in restrictions and the overall loosening of the internal environment.
Under Alonso, access to training sessions and matchday spaces was tightly controlled, limited strictly to players and a small group of coaches, creating a closed atmosphere where interactions were more limited and routines more rigid.
Arbeloa has shifted away from that model. The environment is now more open and fluid, with fewer barriers around daily operations at the training ground and on matchdays.
While the core professional structure remains intact, the reduction in strict oversight has made the day-to-day experience more comfortable for players.
This change has helped ease tensions that had built up under the previous regime. Importantly, this has not led to a lack of discipline, but rather a better balance between structure and freedom.
Deep preparation for games
Although Arbeloa has reduced the volume of video analysis compared to Alonso, preparation remains detailed. His staff focus extensively on both opponents and their own team, ensuring clear plans for each match. This has been evident in specific tactical decisions.
In the recent tie against Manchester City, Federico Valverde supported Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back to contain Jeremy Doku. Set pieces were also carefully planned.
At the same time, there has been a balance between structure and individual freedom. Vinicius Jr., one of the players most refreshed since Alonso’s departure, has produced key moments of individual brilliance on a more consistent basis in recent weeks.
Surviving the injury crisis
Arbeloa’s progress has come during a significant injury crisis. Real Madrid have been without several key players, including Jude Bellingham, Eder Militao, Kylian Mbappe, and Rodrygo. He has also lost other stars like Raul Asencio and Eduardo Camavinga at times.
Despite these absences, results have improved. After defeats to Osasuna and Getafe in La Liga, Real Madrid have responded with four consecutive wins, including progression past Manchester City in the Champions League.
The team has remained competitive without several regular starters, reflecting Arbeloa’s ability to manage the situation effectively.
Trusting the academy
To deal with injuries, Arbeloa has turned to the Real Madrid academy, which is seen as a big point in his favour. The standout example is 18-year-old Thiago Pitarch, who has taken on an important midfield role, starting four games in a row.
Other players like Jorge Cestero, Manuel Angel, Cesar Palacios, and Diego Aguado have also received minutes. This reliance on youth has helped maintain squad depth while also strengthening Arbeloa’s standing with supporters.
Real Madrid returned to winning ways with a narrow 1-0 victory over Villarreal, but the performance once again left a lot to be desired.
The result did little to hide the problems that continue to affect Jose Mourinho’s team, and the refereeing controversies became a talking point once more.
Yan Diomande’s second-half goal helped Los Blancos secure three valuable points. That said, Madrid struggled to establish sustained attacking control over the game.
There were some encouraging individual performances, but the same questions about the midfield, Arda Guler’s positioning and the team’s attacking structure cropped up.
Here are four things we learned from Real Madrid’s narrow 1-0 victory over Villarreal.
Yan Diomande is ready to start more regularly
Diomande was easily Madrid’s most dangerous attacking player against Villarreal, and his decisive goal was a consequence of an impressive performance.
What makes the youngster particularly valuable is his willingness to attack defenders directly. Madrid have often looked hesitant in possession this season.
They have kept the ball and circulated it without necessarily focusing on one-v-one situations, which could be directly related to Vinicius Junior’s poor form.
Diomande offered something different in this regard. His directness forced full-backs into making decisions and opened up space for his team-mates.
With Vinicius now facing a potential suspension, Mourinho has an obvious opportunity to give Diomande greater responsibility.
Valverde-Tchouameni double pivot does not work
Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni are excellent footballers. That said, they do not seem to work well together for Madrid.
Both offer physicality, defensive awareness and the ability to cover large areas. Those qualities are important, particularly for a team that can be vulnerable when opponents counter-attack.
However, Madrid’s biggest problem against Villarreal was not a lack of defensive protection. It was their difficulty progressing the ball into dangerous areas.
Too often, both midfielders moved the ball sideways without offering a penetrating option that broke the Villarreal defence.
Valverde’s greatest strengths include his powerful running and ability to influence different phases of play.
He looked much better operating as a flank player than as a midfielder, and it is high time Mourinho started using Bernardo Silva more regularly.
Arda Guler is far more useful operating centrally
Guler’s positioning remains another important tactical question. The Turkey international possesses the vision, technical quality and passing range to influence the game and turn it in Madrid’s favour.
Against Villarreal, Madrid looked more fluid whenever Guler moved inside and helped connect the midfield with the forwards.
From central positions, he can receive between opposition lines, combine with Jude Bellingham and identify forward runs before defenders have time to react.
Even if Guler starts on the wing, his primary role has to be drifting inside and almost acting as a second No. 10 in build-up alongside Bellingham.
Having excellent attack-minded overlapping right-backs like Denzel Dumfries and Trent Alexander-Arnold allows Guler to do just that.
Madrid must start using Guler more centrally in the coming weeks and make use of his excellent vision to improve their attacking structure.
A group of talented individuals
Perhaps the biggest concern is that Madrid continue to look more dangerous through individual moments of brilliance rather than collective play.
There is no shortage of quality. Mbappe, Vinicius, Bellingham, Guler and Diomande all possess the ability to decide matches.
However, Mourinho is yet to identify a system that gives the team structure and allows these stars to thrive in unison.
When one player receives possession, team-mates should already be moving into positions that create multiple options.
Too often, Madrid’s attackers appear disconnected, leaving the player on the ball to solve the situation alone.
With a trip to the Spotify Camp Nou approaching, Madrid need to address this situation sooner rather than later.
Mourinho has the talent available. Now he needs to make those players function as a team if he harbours any hope of success in La Liga this season.
