Arbeloa Needs to Move Quickly to Prevent Real Madrid Meltdown
Over a mere four days Real Madrid suffered a final loss to fierce opponents Barcelona fired manager Xabi Alonso and exited the Copa del Rey courtesy of a second tier outfit plunging them into turmoil.
Fresh appointee Alvaro Arbeloa takes charge for the upcoming clash on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu versus Levante in La Liga aware that failure to secure a win would deliver a severe setback to their ambitions of toppling Barcelona from the league summit.
His debut outing resulted in embarrassment a 3-2 loss to Albacete in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Wednesday draining enthusiasm from the players and shattering any budding positivity from his arrival.
Arbeloa turns 43 on Saturday and the perfect present would be a victory yielding three points against the bottom dwelling guests to narrow Barcas four point advantage atop the standings and provide Madrid a foundation to progress.
Coming up next week the 15 time European winners entertain Monaco in a crucial Champions League encounter as they aim to secure a top eight spot in the league phase steering clear of the risky play off stage.
Priority lies with Levante and although the outfit from Valencia languishes low in the table they possess the potential to spring a surprise should Madrid fail to sharpen up considerably.
This ranks as arguably the poorest Real Madrid team in numerous years bemoaned Spanish outlet AS following the Albacete reverse.
The planet's most trophy laden club gazes into the glass and fails to identify the reflection lamented Marca.
Skipper Dani Carvajal concurred We have reached the depths he declared committing to hoist Madrid back to solidity.
Arbeloa a follower of divisive ex Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho under whom he featured accepted responsibility for the cup fiasco yet insisted his group would grow from it.
This incident will spur my growth and it ought to elevate the whole squad remarked Arbeloa.
The Iberian coach needs to unlock the potential in emerging talents Franco Mastantuono and Arda Guler who began brightly but waned in assurance after drifting from Alonsos schemes.
Both featured from the outset versus Albacete yet neither shone despite Mastantuonos scrappy near post strike.
Arbeloa also deployed a pair from the B team he guided up to Monday though Madrids seasoned performers are slated to rejoin for Levante.
Figures such as Thibaut Courtois Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo Goes ought to reclaim spots having sat out the ill fated Albacete excursion.
Nevertheless leading marksman Kylian Mbappe likely sits out until facing old club Monaco to facilitate mending from a knee injury.
Owing to Madrids predicament and the fixtures weight this could alter.
Title holders Barcelona flawless across 10 outings in various tournaments head to Real Sociedad on Sunday a team unbeaten since the arrival of new US tactician Pellegrino Matarazzo.
Player to watch Mikel Oyarzabal
As Real Sociedad host frontrunners Barcelona they seek to position forward Mikel Oyarzabal beyond the away sides backline. The attacker netted an unfortunate own goal during the Copa del Rey last 16 triumph over Osasuna on Tuesday thus aiming to rectify on Sunday evening.
Key stats
1 goal in his last nine outings across all tournaments for underperforming Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez
7 points between Athletic Bilbao in eighth and Valencia in 18th
142 Barcas Eric Garcia boasts the highest number of passes into the attacking third among La Liga players this campaign
Fixtures
Friday all times GMT
Espanyol v Girona 2000
Saturday
Real Madrid v Levante 1300 Mallorca v Athletic Bilbao 1515 Osasuna v Real Oviedo 1730 Real Betis v Villarreal 2000
Sunday
Getafe v Valencia 1300 Atletico Madrid v Alaves 1515 Celta Vigo v Rayo Vallecano 1730 Real Sociedad v Barcelona 2000
Monday
Elche v Sevilla 2000