Real Madrid News
Watch: Real Madrid defender’s reaction after being left out vs Espanyol
Real Madrid may have secured a 2-0 win over Espanyol, but the result barely hides the growing tension inside the squad.
On paper, it was a routine victory. In reality, it avoided what could have been a humiliating scenario.
Had Madrid dropped points, Barcelona would have been crowned La Liga champions immediately.
That would have forced Los Blancos into the uncomfortable position of giving their biggest rivals a guard of honour in the upcoming El Clasico.
The win delayed that possibility, but it did little to calm the storm building behind the scenes.
What’s the story?
One of the biggest talking points from the game was Alvaro Arbeloa’s decision to start Ferland Mendy.
It was a strong call given the defender’s fitness record, and it backfired almost immediately. Mendy was forced off early in the first half, continuing his frustrating run with injuries this season.
What followed raised even more questions. The expected replacement seemed obvious to many, with Alvaro Carreras widely seen as the natural option.
La reacción de Álvaro Carreras con que Arbeloa eligió a Fran García antes que a él tras la lesión de Mendy. pic.twitter.com/G59SUb1kgn
— MT2 (@madrid_total2) May 3, 2026
Instead, Arbeloa turned to Fran Garcia, leaving Carreras on the bench. That decision did not go unnoticed.
Carreras, who has endured an inconsistent season, is clearly not in a comfortable place right now.
Once seen as a reliable starter and one of the few signings delivering on expectations, his role has sharply declined.
Simply put, he has featured in just four of the last 12 matches, and the shift in his status has been difficult to ignore.
The boiling point
The situation reached a boiling point at the RCDE Stadium. After Mendy’s early exit, Arbeloa’s choice to overlook Carreras sparked a visible reaction.
Cameras caught the full-back laughing at the substitution, a moment that quickly spread and did not sit well with supporters.
For many, it showed a lack of unity at a time when the team needed it most.
This incident comes shortly after another sign of internal frustration, when Dani Carvajal publicly criticised Trent Alexander-Arnold for not tracking back during a counter-attack.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid star Huijsen credits Mourinho for improved form in new season: ‘He supports me a lot’
Real Madrid will be looking to get back to winning ways in LaLiga as they take on Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
The club are coming on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Real Betis last weekend but did secure a narrow win over Inter Milan in the midweek Champions League fixture.
Heading into this game, Dean Huijsen, who has been showing a lot of promise in these early parts of the season, spoke to the club’s official media about the match ahead and how Real Madrid have been coping with the pressure early on, among other things.
Huijsen on Rayo and his defensive duties
The young centre-back was fully aware of the threat posed by Rayo and praised the opposition.
“We know that Rayo is a good team, and it’s a tough team to face, and we must give our all as we do in all matches to secure the three points, that’s the only thing that matters, and for the Bernabeu to be with us and for us all to be united,” he said.
He also detailed the defensive demands placed on him by the coaching staff led by Jose Mourinho.
“Well, what every coach asks of you: ferocity, intercepting balls, and winning one-on-one duels. He supports me a lot, and I think this helps me greatly, and defending together as a team,” he said.
On the team’s preparations for the fixture, Huijsen offered an insight into their training routine.
“We’re working on some tactics related to the opponent. And well, after that it depends on the day; we might play a mini-match among ourselves or not,” he added.
Huijsen on Mourinho and his fine form
The Spaniard was quick to credit Mourinho, with whom he previously worked at Roma, for his development and current level.
“We’ve known each other for a while, even though we spent a relatively short time together in Rome. He gave me the opportunity to make the real leap into professional football, and I’ll always be grateful to him for that,” Huijsen said.
Reflecting on his own performances, the defender was in confident mood, once again pointing to the influence of his coach and teammates.
“I think I’m in good shape. Well, I think I’m delivering a good level, and I believe that’s thanks to the coach too, as he keeps track of me and takes great care of me.”
“Well, I’m also doing my very best, and I think the teammates are supporting me too, and this is the perfect equation,” he added.
Finally, Huijsen explained how he manages his recovery amid a congested schedule.
“There are a lot of matches, so we need to recover well and stay focused on football, then you have to sleep well. And yes, on the days after the match, I also take a cold shower and a hot shower to recover better,” he concluded.
