Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa is reportedly experiencing early friction within the squad following a series of controversial tactical decisions and substitutions.
Tensions surfaced after a disappointing Champions League defeat to Benfica, which relegated the club to the playoff round, and were further exacerbated by a narrow 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano.
According to journalist Anton Meana of Cadena SER, these frustrations led to a lengthy post-match discussion with the players that delayed Arbeloa’s press conference by nearly an hour.
Alvaro Arbeloa Under Fire as Real Madrid Stars Challenge Recent Tactical Decisions
A primary source of the dressing room tension stems from Arbeloa’s specific personnel choices.
Many senior players were reportedly surprised when Dani Ceballos was benched in favor of the young midfielder Sistero during the critical match against Benfica.
Some squad members feel that Arbeloa’s transition from managing Real Madrid Castilla has not yet resulted in a system suited for the first team, with complaints suggesting the current methods still feel too similar to those used at the youth level.
While Arbeloa was initially brought in to stabilize the team following the departure of Xabi Alonso, the expected immediate improvement has yet to materialize.
Players have reportedly been direct in raising their concerns regarding technical and tactical setups.
Despite the win against Rayo Vallecano, the atmosphere remains tense as the team struggles to find a cohesive identity under the new leadership.
