Real Madrid News
Real Madrid players request Arbeloa to cancel training on Friday after Valverde-Tchouameni incident
Real Madrid has been plunged into a state of unprecedented internal crisis just 48 hours before El Clasico, as a series of altercations has led some players to request the cancellation of Friday’s scheduled training session, according to COPE.
The turmoil escalated on Thursday when midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouaméni engaged in a second, more severe physical brawl within the space of 24 hours.
While the pair had to be separated on Wednesday after a training-ground challenge, the situation spiralled out of control today.
The confrontation was so intense that Valverde had to be taken to hospital for stitches following a cut on his face.
Given what went down, some players have asked manager Alvaro Arbeloa to cancel the training session on Friday.
The timing could not be worse for Los Blancos, who trail Barcelona by 11 points in the title race.
An emergency crisis meeting was held this afternoon involving CEO Jose Angel Sanchez, where the club’s leadership expressed their alarm over the breakdown in discipline.
As already reported, Real Madrid are considering serious sanctions against both Valverde and Tchouameni over the incident, with the pair likely to miss Sunday’s El Clasico.
As for the players’ request to cancel Friday’s training session, only time will tell how Arbeloa responds to it.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. admits finishing problem after another frustrating night vs Elche: ‘Can’t miss that much’
Vinicius Jr.’s difficult start in front of goal continued against Elche, and the Real Madrid forward did not need anyone to tell him he had missed another chance to make the difference.
The Brazilian finished the night without a goal despite having chances to get on the scoresheet, while his teammates could only watch from the bench as opportunities went begging.
Jose Mourinho had already identified the problem before kick-off, bluntly pointing to the issue facing his forward, stating, “He’s missing the goal.”
Vini offered an equally frank assessment afterwards.
Rather than hide from another frustrating evening, he accepted responsibility on social media: “The goals will come back; I can’t miss that much…”
Two chances, no finish for Vinicius
Vinicius had two particularly clear openings against Elche, but neither produced the finish Real Madrid needed from their star forward.
The first arrived when he found himself one-on-one with the opposition goalkeeper.
Instead of finding the net, Vinicius caught the ball with the tip of his foot and sent his effort wide. Arda Guler was available during the move and called for the ball, but Vini backed himself to finish the chance.
He had another opportunity after the interval, this time following an excellent pass from Guler during a quick Real Madrid transition. Again, though, Vinicius could not find the target.
His evening ended in the 68th minute, with Mourinho deciding the Brazilian was tired and turning his attention towards Sunday’s Atletico Madrid derby.
Mourinho has a bigger decision to make
The numbers show why Vinicius’ finishing has become a talking point. He managed five shots against Elche, but only one was on target and none found the net.
After seven appearances this season, the Brazilian has scored just once, which is a striking return for a player Real Madrid rely upon to provide a major share of their attacking threat.
Ultimately, though, Real Madrid found another route to victory, with Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappe and Carlos Espi providing the goals in the 3-2 comeback.
