How Arbeloa is getting the best out of Real Madrid's stars

Vinicius Jr and Alvaro Arbeloa high-five with both hands

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

"I don't know if he's at the best moment of his career, but he's very close to it" - Alvaro Arbeloa describing Vinicius Jr on Sunday

ByElizabeth ConwaySpanish football reporter

Published53 minutes ago
7 Comments

When Alvaro Arbeloa took over as Real Madrid's head coach in January, there was little time to settle in. A packed fixture schedule meant a gradual introduction to his squad was impossible.

Spanish media warned of the challenges he would face, particularly managing a dressing room full of some of football's biggest personalities.

Yet building strong relationships with the players did not seem to faze the former Liverpool defender.

"It's not something that worries me much," Arbeloa said at his first news conference.

Two months on, he says those relationships are growing stronger and the results on the pitch are following.

Building relationships

In March, Arbeloa led his side to victories against teams led by elite managers: Jose Mourinho's Benfica, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid.

Real Madrid remain four points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, with a potentially decisive Clasico in May, while their Champions League campaign continues with a quarter-final tie against Bayern Munich.

Real's results are improving and the relationships between the manager and players are building.

"I'm getting to know the players more and more," said Arbeloa after Real Madrid's 3-2 win against rivals Atletico last week.

"I arrived at a time when I practically had no time to work with the players, to understand where they felt comfortable, and to see how they mixed with each other."

He admitted the timing of his appointment created new challenges.

"For me, it's not easy to arrive mid-season and observe how the team functions, and that's what has changed over these two months," he added.

"Now I know my players personally and professionally, where I can get the best performance from them, and where I can make adjustments."

Praise for Vinicius

One player thriving under Arbeloa is Vinicius Jr.

He has started 16 of Arbeloa's 17 games in charge, with his goal return also improving significantly - he has scored 11 goals under Arbeloa, compared to managing just six in 27 appearances under Xabi Alonso.

Arbeloa has focused on rebuilding the forward's confidence, encouraging him to play freely and express himself rather than restricting him tactically.

"I'm lucky to have Vini, he's loved by all the fans. We want to see the Vini who enjoys playing, who laughs, who dances… that's the Vini I want to see," Arbeloa said in his first news conference in charge.

That approach contrasts with reports of tension under Alonso, with Vinicius muttering "I'm going to leave this team" after being substituted in October's Clasico.

Arbeloa has publicly defended him, making clear he is fully backed by the coaches and the dressing room.

"He's one of the most dangerous players, if not the most dangerous, in the world and he embodies what a Real Madrid player is," added Arbeloa.

Vinicius put talks about his future at the club on hold last summer but, last week, he made his commitment to the club clear.

"I'm only thinking about Real Madrid and staying there for a long time," he told the media before Brazil's friendly with France.

Valverde finds form again

Fede Valverde's form has also surged since Arbeloa took charge.

Under Alonso, he contributed three goals and seven assists from 31 appearances.

Since Arbeloa's arrival, Valverde has started all 17 of his games, scoring seven times and providing five assists.

A key factor has been a positional shift back into midfield.

During Alonso's tenure, Valverde at times struggled to cement a starting spot in his natural role, being deployed in unfamiliar positions such as right-back.

Although the decision was partly driven by injuries to Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Valverde's frustration was clear. "I wasn't born to be a right-back," he said.

Yet now, restored to his preferred position, Valverde is thriving.

He has scored six goals in just a month, including a hat-trick against Manchester City and a decisive strike in a 3–2 win over Atletico Madrid.

More players, more potential?

Arbeloa's experience as head coach of Real Madrid's reserve team has made integrating young players into the first team feel seamless, so it was natural to expect him to give emerging talent opportunities.

That happened more notably when Real Madrid played Elche earlier this month and Arbeloa gave minutes to six Castilla players - Gonzalo Garcia, Daniel Yanez, Diego Aguado, Manuel Angel and Cesar Palacios, while also naming Thiago Pitarch in the starting XI.

Pitarch, in particular, has rapidly established himself as one of Arbeloa's most promising proteges.

At just 18 years and 226 days old, he became the youngest player in the club's history to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Vinicius' record by 10 days.

Asked what it meant to see five academy graduates on the pitch, Arbeloa couldn't hide his pride.

"I think I can die happy after a night like tonight," he said.

"I was just talking to Yanez and Aguado, who were the first players I coached when they were 13 or 14 years old, and to be able to give them the opportunity to play at the Bernabeu is a dream come true for me."

While Arbeloa might be familiar with the Castilla players, he admits injuries have limited his exposure to some first-team players, but he is eager to continue building relationships across the squad.

"I still have a lot to learn because we're gradually recovering players I haven't worked with yet, such as Militao," he said. "Bellingham was able to play [against Atletico] after a long time, so we're in constant evolution with a lot of room for improvement.

"There's a tough calendar ahead, with a test every three days, and we have to give our best."