Reports say Real Madrid left Trent Alexander-Arnold out of the starting lineup for the Madrid derby on Sunday as a disciplinary measure after he showed up late. The former Liverpool player had been gaining momentum recently, securing a place in the team following a tough adjustment period. His rise included a notable performance in Real’s Champions League victory against Manchester City.

However, things took a turn earlier in the week when Thomas Tuchel excluded him from England’s 35-man squad, making his chances of going to the World Cup slim. Then on Sunday, Dani Carvajal was preferred at right back, with Alexander-Arnold only coming on for the final 15 minutes.

According to The Athletic, the reason behind this was Alexander-Arnold turning up late to a training session, which cost him his starting spot. The match ended 3-2 in Real’s favour, with Vinicius Jr scoring twice and Federico Valverde adding another. The visitors managed goals from Ademola Lookman and Nahuel Molina. Valverde was shown a late red card, but Real held on to keep their lead over Barcelona at the top of the league at four points.

Since joining Madrid on a free transfer from Liverpool, where he spent his youth career, Alexander-Arnold has featured in 21 matches across all competitions this season. He started 14 times, including six Champions League games, while managing injuries and adapting to his new environment.

His struggles at Madrid have affected his place in the England setup. Tuchel referred to it as a “sporting decision", opting for other right-back options like Tino Livramento, Jarell Quansah, and Djed Spence instead. With Reece James injured, Alexander-Arnold’s exclusion stands out, especially as Tuchel will need to reduce the squad from 35 players after this international break, which includes friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. His Real Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham remains part of the squad.

Tomorrow night, Real Madrid and Manchester City will face off for the third time this season in the UEFA Champions League, this time at the Etihad Stadium.

Their first meeting, during the group stage, ended with Manchester City securing a 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, Real Madrid got their revenge last week in the Round of 16 first leg, winning 3-0.

Now, led by Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid aims to protect that lead and secure its place in the quarterfinals.

Talking about the team’s mindset as they prepare for the match, Arbeloa said the goal remains unchanged from the first leg. They want to win, maintaining the same humility and determination, aware that it won't be an easy task. He emphasised that humility and ambition will be key.

He also spoke about the mental angle: Real Madrid knows the challenge they face and the quality of their opponent. To come out on top, they must focus solely on delivering a high-level performance, showing solidarity, effort, and sacrifice, essentially creating significant problems for Manchester City.

Reflecting on the first leg win without Kylian Mbappe, Arbeloa pointed out how impressive it is for a team to compete well without their top scorer, underlining the overall strength of the squad.

Fortunately for Real Madrid, Mbappe will be available tomorrow. Jude Bellingham has been named in the squad as well, although Arbeloa clarified he won’t play. Still, it’s positive to see Bellingham close to returning; the manager believes he’ll be a leader for the team moving forward.

When asked about the possibility of keeping the current 4-4-2 formation after Mbappe’s return, Arbeloa noted that Mbappe brings unique qualities distinct from players like Brahim. He highlighted Mbappe’s intelligence and ability to exploit spaces, expressing eagerness to have him on the pitch.

Since Arbeloa took charge two months ago, there’s been a notable shift toward trusting youth players from the academy and reserves. He made it clear that no player is untouchable; everyone, including Valverde, Vinicius, and Tchouameni, had to earn their spot on merit. The academy youngsters have stepped up impressively, performing at a high level and contributing significantly.

As injured players return, Arbeloa expects to have more options, aiming to consistently field the strongest eleven suited to each match.

Regarding whether matches like this one influence his future at the club, Arbeloa dismissed the idea. His focus is fully on the team and the fans' excitement. He plans to stay as long as needed and enjoy every moment.

Leading up to the game, Pep Guardiola surprised some by giving Manchester City a day off and cancelling training. Arbeloa wasn’t fazed, pointing out that Guardiola is a seasoned manager with nearly a thousand games under his belt. City’s squad know each other so well, they can practically play without thinking.

On Federico Valverde’s role, Arbeloa praised his versatility and current form. Valverde can play anywhere and is thriving, finding the back of the net and enjoying freedom on the field. With Bellingham's and Mbappe’s eventual return, the team wants to keep this strong version of Valverde going.

Lastly, Arbeloa touched on Arda Guler’s performance in the first leg, especially how he was tasked with marking Erling Haaland during set pieces. He admired Guler’s goal against Elche and acknowledged the importance of crowding Haaland defensively. Arbeloa felt Guler did well and is hopeful they can replicate that effort tomorrow.