Alvaro Arbeloa has called on his Real Madrid players to channel their frustration positively in Sunday's El Clasico against Barcelona, as a turbulent week threatens to end with their bitter rivals clinching the LaLiga title at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Barcelona need just a point to secure the championship with three games to spare, sitting 11 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid. The hosts are reeling from a series of internal incidents, including a training-ground altercation between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni that left captain Valverde with a head injury and sidelined for up to two weeks. Both players were fined €500,000 each.
Defender Antonio Rudiger reportedly apologised to the squad after another clash, while Kylian Mbappe was involved in an angry exchange with a coaching staff member acting as assistant referee in a training match. Speaking at a press conference, Arbeloa said: “It’s clear that frustration and anger can lead to situations we don’t want, but we have to channel that frustration and anger into playing a great game tomorrow.”
The embattled boss, reportedly set to be replaced by Jose Mourinho, accepted responsibility for the turmoil. “I am responsible for everything that happens at Real Madrid, and if you want to point the finger at someone, here I am,” he added. “The most serious thing is that what happens in the dressing room should stay there. These situations don’t represent Real Madrid.”
Mbappe, who also faced criticism for a trip to Italy, has returned to training after a hamstring injury. Barcelona boss Hansi Flick dismissed the visitors' issues, saying: “The only thing we have to focus on is our own display. We want to win the title, the second in a row. Nothing else matters.”
