Real Madrid News
Report – The reason why Real Madrid midfielder had a falling out with Arbeloa
It is clear that Alvaro Arbeloa does not have the backing of the dressing room, and if the recent leaks are not enough to back up that theory, the team’s performance on the field and complete lack of regard for the manager’s methods confirm the same.
A large part of the divide between the players and Arbeloa is owing to the manager’s relative inexperience. Some part, however, also has to do with his decision to bench veterans.
One player whose feud with Arbeloa falls into the latter category is Dani Ceballos, who has now been omitted from the team’s last two matchday squads including against Barcelona last night.
Where the disagreement began
As reported by Mundo Deportivo, Ceballos’ anger towards Arbeloa is not only limited to the lack of minutes he has had under the manager but also how the coach seemingly jeopardised the player’s future.
Indeed, the report furthers that the disagreement between the two parties began when Ceballos heard of Arbeloa speaking poorly of him to one of the teams that he is looking to join in June.
Having a lack of prominence at the club, Ceballos is pushing for a departure in June and has a couple of clubs in mind as possible destinations.
Instead of backing his player and providing a positive opinion, however, the coach seems to have bad-mouthed Ceballos which did not go down well with the player. After all, it could have a direct impact on his transfer and future.
The midfielder is thus disappointed and furious with Arbeloa for how he has handled the entire situation, and the fact that he has placed Thiago Pitarch over him in the pecking order has only added fuel to the fire.
Having now been omitted from the last two matchday squads, Ceballos is unlikely to feature anymore for Real Madrid in the remaining matches. Given how he is pushing for a subsequent departure, he may well have played his last game in white.
Elche manager Martin Anselmi knows his side cannot afford to spend 90 minutes simply absorbing pressure when Real Madrid arrive for Tuesday’s La Liga clash.
After showing greater resilience against Athletic Club, the Argentine wants Elche to take that confidence into one of their toughest fixtures of the season.
A 1-1 draw at San Mames provided some encouragement after a difficult opening to the campaign.
Elche had led for much of the second half before Athletic eventually found a way back, but Anselmi believes the performance offered a blueprint for what his team must do next.
“The fact that we put up a fight at San Mames makes us feel united and shows us that this is the path to follow,” said the Elche manager, as per MARCA.
Anselmi wants Elche to defend with the ball
Against Real Madrid, Anselmi does not intend to abandon the principles that helped Elche compete in Bilbao.
His preferred defensive strategy starts with keeping the ball away from the opposition.
“For us, the best way to defend is to keep possession. I think we need to show the same defensive resilience as we did at San Mames and defend with the ball.”
That approach will face a severe examination against a Real Madrid side possessing the quality to punish even brief lapses.
Elche have already conceded 13 goals this season and currently sit 19th, making defensive concentration a major concern.
On that note, Anselmi is fully aware of the individual threat Madrid possess.
“They make complicated moves look easy and push you to the limit. We mustn’t give anything away and need to stay focused throughout the match.”
The fixture arrives at an awkward time for Anselmi, who has had limited preparation time before facing Madrid, and Yago de Santiago will be the only confirmed absentee.
“The most important match is the next one. From there, we’ll see who’s in the best form and spread the workload,” said the Elche boss.
Real Madrid test comes at a crucial moment
Elche’s start to the 2026/27 season has been anything but positive.
They drew with Deportivo La Coruña before losing three consecutive games against Barcelona, Racing Santander and 10-man Real Sociedad, during which they conceded 11 goals.
The draw against Athletic halted that run, but it did not erase the defensive problems. Elche currently have the second-worst defensive record in La Liga, leaving Anselmi with little margin for error against Real Madrid.
