Alvaro Arbeloa Excludes Seven Stars for Real Madrid Debut Match
Álvaro Arbeloa, the new manager of Real Madrid, has made a bold choice by excluding seven key players from the squad for the Copa del Rey matchup against Albacete. His decision comes shortly after the team faced Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Key Exclusions from the Match Squad
The players omitted from the squad include:
- Kylian Mbappé
- Jude Bellingham
- Rodrygo
- Thibaut Courtois
- Aurélien Tchouaméni
- Antonio Rüdiger
- Álvaro Carreras
These exclusions were partly expected due to injuries, particularly for Éder Militão, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Ferland Mendy. Additionally, Brahim Díaz remains on international duty with Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Strategic Decision-Making
Less than a week after a taxing match against Barcelona in Saudi Arabia, Arbeloa opted to rest several crucial players against a team like Albacete, who are just above the relegation zone in Spain’s second tier. This decision indicates a strategy aimed at prioritizing the upcoming La Liga match against Levante.
Notably, Kylian Mbappé, who had returned to the squad despite a knee injury, is being protected from further risk. He has been responsible for nearly half of Real Madrid’s goals this season, so resting him seems prudent. Other absences, such as that of Rodrygo, are also designed to minimize injury risks.
Potential Stars from Real Madrid Castilla
With a reduced squad, Arbeloa has brought in several talented young players from Real Madrid Castilla, highlighting his previous experience managing the youth team. The following players may see action against Albacete:
- David Jiménez
- Joan Martínez
- Jorge Cestero
- Manuel Ángel
- César Palacios
This strategic inclusion allows the young talents a chance to shine on a significant stage while providing senior players with much-needed rest.
Real Madrid’s Squad Overview
For the Copa del Rey match against Albacete, the complete squad is as follows:
| Goalkeepers | Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andriy Lunin | Dani Carvajal | Eduardo Camavinga | Vinicius Junior |
| Fran González | David Alaba | Federico Valverde | Gonzalo García |
| Sergio Mestre | Raúl Asensio | Arda Güler | Franco Mastantuono |
| Fran García | Dani Ceballos | ||
| Dean Huijsen | Jorge Cestero | ||
| David Jiménez | Manuel Ángel | ||
| Joan Martínez | César Palacios |
With a mix of seasoned leaders and emerging talents, Real Madrid’s approach appears to be a savvy tactic to navigate their packed schedule, particularly as they aim to maintain their competitive edge in La Liga.
