Red alert at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Real Madrid are facing a fresh start – and the man who should reignite the flames is Alvaro Arbeloa. The former Real Madrid defender took over after Xavi Alonso left and immediately faced a number of challenges. We’ve listed the five biggest building blocks that Real Madrid’s new coach must fix quickly.
ground team
The Super Bowl loss left a lasting mark. Doubt, uncertainty, frustration — the locker room seemed shaken. This is where Arbeloa is needed. Not as a tactical nerd, but as a leader, as a motivator, as the voice of the old Madrid DNA. January will be a mental test. If he can’t get his players to wake up, a forgettable season is in store.
advertise
Instant plans for physical conditions
Real Madrid looked tired, slow and injury-prone. Too many absences, too little explosiveness. The health concerns are obvious—and downright dangerous. Arbeloa and his coaching staff must act immediately. More intensity, more resilience, more rhythm. Because the schedule shows no mercy. Those who cannot keep up with the physical strength will be ruthlessly eliminated.
Chaos in midfield – who will ultimately take control?
The core of the game is currently beating too quietly. The midfield was unimaginative and torn, with no clear hierarchy. Too much experimentation and too little structure. Arbeloa faces a key question: who will call the game? Who will take responsibility? If there is no order and creativity in the midfield, no matter how many stars are on the field, Real Madrid will still have no teeth.
advertise
Mbappe, Vinicius and co – stars, little harmony
Another tough task lies on offense. Big names such as Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Bellingham or Gonzalo have so far failed to cohere on a consistent basis. Arbeloa must find an ideal system that allows these stars to realize their potential together without jeopardizing the balance of the team. The right balance between individual classes and team stability will be decisive.
No time to study – victory must come now
However, in the end, one thing matters most: results. Arbeloa made his debut on Wednesday in a cup match against Albacete. What’s more important is the next Champions League tasks against Monaco and Benfica. There’s little time for experimentation — and little room for error for new coaches.
This article was translated into English by artificial intelligence. You can read the original version of 🇩🇪 here.
📸 Ben Roberts Photo – 2025 Getty Images