Real Madrid News
How Real Madrid pushed La Liga’s new academy rules to the limit vs Elche
Real Madrid’s 4-1 demolition of Elche this weekend was all about a display of clinical finishing and Arda Guler’s long-range brilliance.
However, another thing that caught the eye was Alvaro Arbeloa and how he executed a tactical manoeuvre that left many fearing a potential improper lineup disaster.
But in reality, it was a masterclass in rule-book precision, reports MARCA.
How Arbeloa navigated the 7+4 rule
Starting this season, the RFEF updated the regulations regarding non-first-team players on the pitch.
While the old rule mandated a minimum of seven first-team players at all times, the new amendment focuses on a strict maximum of four academy players (not registered with the first team) allowed on the field simultaneously.
Crucially, if a team is playing with exactly seven first-teamers and four academy players and a senior player is sent off, the lineup is no longer considered “ineligible” as it would have been in previous years.
Arbeloa, having spent years navigating the intricacies of La Fabrica, was the most informed man in the stadium.
Despite the confusion from those unaware of the regulatory shift, the Madrid coach pushed the limit to the absolute edge without ever crossing it.
Real Madrid started the match with Thiago Pitarch as the only Castilla-registered player. As the game progressed and the lead was secured, Arbeloa began the manoeuvre.
Yanez and Gonzalo came on, bringing the academy count to three. Diego Aguado replaced Antonio Rüdiger, increasing the presence. In the final flurry, Manuel Angel and Cesar Palacios were introduced.
The scare occurred when observers saw four Castilla names – Manuel Angel, Yanez, Palacios, and Aguado—all on the pitch together.
However, Arbeloa ensured that one of the outgoing players was Thiago Pitarch, maintaining a perfect balance of seven senior professionals and exactly four academy prospects
Real Madrid News
Mbappe hits out at claims on his unhappiness at Real Madrid: ‘Angry at my great aunt too’
Kylian Mbappe has been in the news for a plethora of reasons in recent weeks, starting with his injury and surprise vacation. Beyond that, the Ballon d’Or saga has kept him in the spotlight for a reasonable while now.
The Frenchman, after all, has not held back in speaking out about why he deserves to win the prestigious individual award, and while it is perfectly okay to campaign for the award, it is something that has not usually been done in the past.
In terms of his goalscoring numbers, there is no doubt that Mbappe should be a frontrunner for the award. His lack of a single trophy for both club and country, however, works against his chances.
Mbappe’s sarcastic reply to baseless rumours
Earlier today, there were reports of Kylian Mbappe being angry with Zinedine Zidane and Real Madrid for not campaigning for him to win the Ballon d’Or this year.
The rumours, needless to say, portrayed the player in a very bad light and made it seem like the club not making public gestures to acknowledge and back his campaign affected him personally.
Now, the player has himself come out to lash out at the journalists, albeit in a sarcastic manner. Commenting directly below the post making the claim via Fabrizio Romano, the player wrote,
“Yes, yes, I even got angry with my great aunt too.”
Mbappe’s ability to deal with such reports with a tinge of humour, needless to say, is impressive and it can only be good for his image that he spoke out and cut off the news at its roots.
Set to return
There has been significant concern around Mbappe’s fitness in recent weeks after the player left the French national team with an injury after their first game.
The initial diagnosis appeared worrying, but it soon came to light that the player had avoided a major setback by a hair’s breadth.
Now, there is increasing hope that the Frenchman will be back for Real Madrid’s first game after the break against Villarreal, possibly even as a starter.
Needless to say, that comes as a massive positive for Jose Mourinho’s plans ahead of a crucial stretch of the season.
