How Arbeloa Has Silenced…

At the conclusion of Álvaro Arbeloa’s press conference after Real Madrid’s hard-fought 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid in the LaLiga derby on Sunday, one final question emerged.

It was a straightforward query: What do you have to say to your critics? Arbeloa’s response was clear: “They didn’t know the players I had.”

Since succeeding Xabi Alonso in January, Arbeloa has continuously spotlighted his players, showering them with praise while diverting attention from himself as the catalyst for Madrid’s resurgence.

“I’m fortunate to have him,” he frequently remarks when discussing players like Vinícius Júnior, Federico Valverde, and Kylian Mbappé. Prior to the derby, he stated, “I’d build a statue of him and place it in my garden,” referring to defender Antonio Rüdiger.

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Whether it’s due to Arbeloa’s influence or the players’ performance, Madrid has significantly improved since his appointment on January 12, achieving 17 victories in 21 matches across all competitions.

In LaLiga, they are currently four points behind leaders Barcelona—the same gap present when Alonso was dismissed—with a potentially pivotal Clásico date scheduled for May 10. In the UEFA Champions League, they will face Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals following their aggregate 5-1 victory over Manchester City.

In just a short span, Arbeloa’s Madrid has triumphed over three teams coached by prominent managers: José Mourinho’s Benfica, Pep Guardiola’s City, and Diego Simeone’s Atlético.

However, the journey hasn’t been entirely smooth. Arbeloa’s initial outing as head coach ended with Madrid’s elimination from the Copa del Rey at the hands of Albacete. Following consecutive LaLiga defeats against Osasuna and Getafe, club sources indicated that unless a “miracle” occurred—or if he won the Champions League—Arbeloa might face termination in the summer.

Nonetheless, results demonstrate that the coach has effectively implemented key strategies, particularly regarding the management of one of his team’s biggest players, previously deemed to be underperforming.

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Vinícius Júnior: A Player Rejuvenated

Vinícius emerged as the face of dressing room dissent under Alonso, notably through his visible frustration after being substituted during last October’s Clásico.

Alonso’s uncertainty regarding the Brazilian forward had been apparent since last summer, and he even contemplated benching Vinícius during the FIFA Club World Cup. The result was a dip in confidence for Vinícius, who endured a three-month goal drought, often whistled by fans at the Bernabéu.

Negotiations regarding a new contract—a deal which expires in 2027—were stalled, and Álvaro’s predecessor was considered a significant barrier to the renewal.

Upon taking over, Arbeloa’s primary goal was to restore morale and performance for the former Ballon d’Or runner-up. He has consistently celebrated Vinícius, reinstating him as a key figure in the starting lineup.

“I will work to extract the best from Vinícius,” the coach stated in January. “I will insist that the other players find him with the ball. He’s fearless and one of the most dangerous players in the world. He embodies what it means to be a Real Madrid player.”

Arbeloa’s faith was rewarded when Vinícius netted in five straight matches in February—his best run to date—and followed with two goals in each of the games against City and Atlético. When Vinícius was subbed in the Atlético match, Arbeloa was waiting with an embrace on the sidelines.

“I cannot confirm if [Vinícius] is at his peak form, but he’s certainly close,” said the coach on Sunday.

While on international duty with Brazil, Vinícius expressed his desire to stay at Madrid “for the long haul.”

Valverde’s New Role

If Vinícius’ resurgence has been the most notable aspect of Arbeloa’s reign, Federico Valverde’s transformation follows closely behind. Valverde, alongside Vinícius and Jude Bellingham, was among the senior players reportedly unimpressed by Alonso.

Footage showed Valverde’s lackluster warm-ups after being excluded from the starting lineup for a match against Kairat Almaty in September. He was frequently played as a right-back, a position he described as one he “wasn’t born to play,” due to injuries to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal.

Valverde scored his first goal of the season in January’s Spanish Supercopa, but since Arbeloa’s arrival—and thanks to a return to the attacking right-wing position where he excelled under Carlo Ancelotti—he scored six goals in February, including a hat trick against City and the vital second goal against Atlético.

“Fede embodies everything a Real Madrid player should be,” Arbeloa praised after Valverde netted a last-minute winner against Celta Vigo on March 6. “He possesses the spirit of [1980s club icon] Juanito. He exhibits the talent that defines our great players, and today, he truly led the team.”

Freed from his previous role, Valverde is excelling. Arbeloa’s approach has not involved reinventing the player but rather instilling confidence in him and positioning him to succeed.

Pitarch and Homegrown Talents

Having previously coached Madrid’s reserve team, Castilla, and youth squads, Arbeloa’s familiarity with the academy was heralded as an asset prior to his appointment. However, he has provided young players with more opportunities than anticipated.

During Madrid’s 4-1 victory against Elche on March 14, Madrid began the match with homegrown midfielder Thiago Pitarch in the starting XI, followed by five further young talents—Gonzalo García, Daniel Yañez, Diego Aguado, Manuel Ángel, and César Palacios—substituted into the game. At that moment, Madrid was only 2-0 ahead, making the outcome uncertain.

“I can die happy after a night like this,” Arbeloa expressed, somewhat hyperbolically. “For someone who rose through the youth ranks to the first team, this is a day filled with joy and pride … It reminded me of the famous 1980s team, Quinta del Buitre.”

Arbeloa’s faith in youth has paid off. The vibrant, fearless 18-year-old Thiago Pitarch has impressed, starting the last six games and injecting energy into a previously stagnant midfield. Yañez also made a significant contribution, providing an assist against Elche.

This steadfast belief in youth has resonated throughout the club, with upper management reportedly pleased with Arbeloa’s emphasis on developing the academy’s talent, leading to increased valuations for players like Pitarch.

A Compact 4-4-2 with a ‘False No. 9’

Pitarch has integrated seamlessly into a dynamic midfield quartet alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni, who emerged as another standout performer, Valverde, and Arda Güler. Vinícius has been part of Arbeloa’s forward pairing, initially starting on the left but given the freedom to roam into central, goal-scoring positions.

In Mbappé’s absence—as he recovers from a knee sprain—Brahim Díaz has filled the void. Díaz had previously been underwhelming since joining Madrid and had only made one start in Arbeloa’s first two months in charge, following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations. However, he has now started the last five matches, including both fixtures against City, fulfilling the role of a hardworking ‘false No. 9’ and gaining confidence.

“[Díaz] is getting better at understanding my expectations,” Arbeloa commented on Sunday. “When opponents play deep, he has the freedom to operate between the lines. He wanted opportunities, and merely avoiding mistakes isn’t enough. He should be seizing chances, taking on defenders, shooting, and winning penalties, just like today. That’s the Brahim we need.”

Winning Over Critics

Various inside sources have reported a notable shift in morale around the Valdebebas training ground and within the locker room since Arbeloa’s tenure began, a welcome sight after Alonso’s tumultuous ending. Club executives have recognized this positive change and believe it affirms their decision to part ways with Alonso. The former coach had focused heavily on tactical adjustments, while Arbeloa has leaned more toward emotional support and enabling players to perform.

However, it’s essential to acknowledge that when results were unfavorable—following LaLiga losses to Osasuna and Getafe—the perception of Arbeloa’s management became less favorable. During this period, some players voiced concerns about Arbeloa’s methods and communication style, and club executives hinted that his summer job security was uncertain.

The Returns of Mbappé and Bellingham

The returns of Mbappé—who played as a substitute against City—and Bellingham—who came off the bench against Atlético—offer both an opportunity and a challenge for Arbeloa. While the inclusion of two of the world’s finest players is welcomed, it also risks disrupting the cohesive unit that has flourished in their absence.

Mbappé is expected to replace Díaz in the lineup, who has played a vital role during recent successes, while Bellingham will likely step in for either Pitarch or Güler. Despite the immense talents of both stars, they may struggle to replicate the selfless work ethic and defined roles that their less renowned counterparts brought to the team.

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After the international break, Madrid will travel to face Mallorca in LaLiga before hosting Bayern Munich, a top European side, in the Champions League quarterfinals. Even with Arbeloa’s recent successes, club sources remain cautious about guaranteeing his position next season unless he secures a trophy.

“I’m not Gandalf,” Arbeloa humorously remarked in a recent press conference when discussing the turnaround of the team’s performance. “What I seek from my players is commitment and effort.”

This straightforward approach has yielded positive results thus far, but eliminating Bayern would be his most impressive achievement yet.