XABI ALONSO ON THE BRINK: COULD LOSS TO CITY FORCE REAL MADRID TO PROMOTE ALVARO ARBELOA
Real Madrid is reportedly eyeing reserve coach Alvaro Arbeloa if Xabi Alonso is sacked after the Man City game. Players are also facing blame for "disarray."
Word is, Real Madrid might look closer to home if they part ways with Xabi Alonso. Many expect Alonso to be out if Real loses to Manchester City in the Champions League.
Apparently, it's not all on Alonso, as the players are also getting some blame.
Losing to Pep Guardiola's team would be bad news for Alonso, because Real has had a tough month. Also, there are rumours of problems between Alonso and the team.
Real Could Turn to Arbeloa
If Alonso's position becomes shaky, some names being considered include Zinedine Zidane and Jurgen Klopp.
But a report says ex-Real and Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa could be the one to take over.
Arbeloa stopped playing in 2017 and has held different coaching jobs at Real since then. He first joined the club as a teen.
Since May, the 42-year-old has managed Real Madrid Castilla, the club's reserve team, which plays in the third tier of Spanish soccer.
Word is that Real's leaders are impressed with Arbeloa's work with the younger players and his modern style of play.
Now, it's just a question of whether Alonso can keep his job with a win against City.
Real Madrid Stars Accused of Being Disorganised
Julen Guerrero, a former player for Athletic Bilbao and Spain, believes Alonso shouldn't take all the responsibility for Real Madrid's recent struggles.
Alonso is catching flak because Real has only won two of its last seven games. But Guerrero is also blaming the players.
Guerrero said on a radio show that the problem isn't tactics but the players' attitude and lack of teamwork.
Guerrero commented, If [Alonso] can't control the egos and the players don't commit to what the coach wants, it will be hard.
He added, The team seems disorganised. I think Xabi Alonso is affected by everything going on. I don't know if all the players are committed, and there's a lot of disarray that frustrates them. Everyone is fighting for themselves.
There's not enough commitment from everyone. The players need to work for the team, and they aren't doing that.
Injuries Lead to Jose Reyes' Call-Up for Real Training
Real Madrid will face Man City with as many as seven players out. Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Dean Huijsen, Eder Militao, Eduardo Camavinga, Ferland Mendy, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all unavailable.
Kylian Mbappe also has a broken finger, and Jude Bellingham, Antonio Rudiger, and Federico Valverde all have minor injuries. But all four are expected to play.
Because of the many missing and questionable players, Xabi Alonso has called up Jose Reyes Lopez to train with the first team before the game, according to MARCA.
The 18-year-old is the son of the late Jose Antonio Reyes, who played for Arsenal and Real Madrid.
The young Reyes, a versatile forward, is currently with the Los Blancos academy and has trained with the senior team before under Carlo Ancelotti.
With Real's current problems, it's unclear if this talented player will be added to the squad list for any upcoming games.
WHY DID REAL MADRID CHOOSE TO KEEP ENDRICK DESPITE MASSIVE PREMIER LEAGUE INTEREST?
After a stellar loan at Lyon, Endrick will return to Real Madrid this summer alongside Jacobo Ramón to form a new youth core.
Real Madrid has zero plans to let Endrick leave this summer. That’s what we’re hearing, even with Arsenal and Chelsea knocking on their door. We’ve also got some updates on Jacobo Ramon’s future.
Endrick is finishing his loan at Lyon on a high note. He’s put up seven goals and seven assists in just 18 games, and people are excited about what he could do long-term.
The 19-year-old forward from Brazil wanted more game time after struggling for chances with Xabi Alonso in charge at Madrid, so he pushed for a loan. Now, with Alonso gone, Endrick’s focused on forcing his way into Brazil’s World Cup squad, and honestly, the way he’s been playing lately, he’s making a strong argument.
Big clubs are paying attention. Arsenal and Chelsea have both checked in recently to see if Madrid would be open to a deal for him this summer.
But Madrid’s answer? No chance. They’ve told both clubs straight up: Endrick’s coming back to the Bernabéu, and he’s in their first-team plans for next season.
Endrick’s on board with that, too. He wants to stay and fight for a spot, a real chance to prove himself as a regular in Madrid’s lineup.
Florentino Perez backs him all the way; he still believes Endrick is the best young talent out there. The club isn’t about to change its mind.
Endrick’s not the only Madrid youth getting attention from the Premier League. Arsenal and Chelsea have also been checking in about Jacobo Ramon, the young centre-back playing for Como in Italy right now.
Ramon’s been playing alongside Nico Paz under Cesc Fabregas and has done well. Even though he moved from Madrid to Como last summer, Madrid made sure to keep buy-back and sell-on clauses, so it’s almost like he’s still a Madrid player on loan.
Now, the plan is for Ramon to return to Madrid this summer with Endrick and Paz. The club’s looking to keep its young core together and build the future around them.
Lots of clubs are watching Ramon; more than six want to sign him. But honestly, Madrid’s stance is pretty clear: just like with Endrick, they aren’t budging.
So for Arsenal, Chelsea, and anyone else hoping to swoop in, the message is simple. Madrid is keeping their best young talents. They’re not letting them go.
HOW HECTOR BELLERIN’S 94TH-MINUTE STUNNER PUSHED REAL MADRID TO THE TITLE BRINK
Real Madrid's title hopes faded after a 1-1 draw with Real Betis. Discover the impact of Bellerin’s goal and Mbappe’s injury.
Real Madrid’s La Liga dreams took a big hit Friday night when Héctor Bellerín scored a 94th-minute equaliser, earning Real Betis a 1-1 draw. With that late goal, Madrid now sit eight points behind Barcelona, and if Barça win their next match, they could pull even further away with just a handful of games left.
Madrid actually started strong in Seville. Vinícius Jr took advantage of a goalkeeping mistake and put them ahead early in the 17th minute. After that, Madrid had control for large stretches, but it just didn’t translate into goals. Kylian Mbappé had one ruled out for offside, and Jude Bellingham, along with the rest of Madrid’s attack, missed some big chances. It all came back to haunt them when, in the dying seconds, Bellerín capitalised on the chaos at the back and smashed in the equaliser.
People are talking about Madrid’s defence and not in a good way. They’ve failed to keep a clean sheet for ten straight league games. The last time the backline struggled this much in a single season was way back in 2003-04, when Carlos Queiroz was in charge. This run has cost Madrid dearly, with dropped points piling up right when the title race is heating up.
This result marks Madrid’s fifth league draw this season, another missed chance that opens the door for Hansi Flick’s relentless Barcelona to run away with the title. With their Champions League hopes already gone, Madrid are now staring at what could be just their fifth season without a trophy this century. About the only bright spot? Mbappé made his 100th appearance for the club, becoming just the tenth Frenchman to reach that milestone for Madrid. Still, even that was undercut; he limped off with a suspected hamstring injury about ten minutes from the end.
Honestly, the title now looks like a lost cause. If Barcelona beat Getafe, they will go 11 points clear. Madrid has two tough away fixtures next: Espanyol, then Barcelona in a do-or-die El Clásico that could finish off their title hopes for good. With their form stalling and Barça flying, Madrid now need a minor miracle and a huge Barcelona slip-up to avoid ending this season empty-handed.
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