Real Madrid Squad: Mbappé Absent in Arbeloa’s Initial Lineup
Álvaro Arbeloa has made a significant entrance as the new head coach of Real Madrid. His first squad announcement has raised eyebrows, particularly due to the absence of star player Kylian Mbappé. On the eve of the Copa del Rey round of 16 clash against Albacete, Arbeloa’s lineup reveals a focus on youth.
Key Details of Arbeloa’s First Lineup
In his debut, Arbeloa has included seven players from the Castilla team, showcasing his commitment to promoting young talent. However, notable absences mark the list:
- Kylian Mbappé
- Jude Bellingham
- Rodrygo Goes
- Álvaro Carreras
- Aurélien Tchouaméni
- Thibaut Courtois
These players missed the match due to various injuries and conflicts, leaving Arbeloa with eleven absences as he prepares for this critical showdown.
Match Background
Real Madrid’s match against Albacete is scheduled for a single-elimination format on Wednesday. Albacete, currently 17th in Spain’s second division, has made an impressive run to the round of 16, defeating Celta in penalties as well as Leganés and UD San Fernando in earlier rounds.
Injury Updates
The injury report highlights the following missing players:
- Éder Militao
- Antonio Rüdiger
- Trent Alexander-Arnold
- Ferland Mendy
Additionally, Brahim Díaz is unavailable as he is participating in the African Cup of Nations with Morocco.
Arbeloa’s Commitment to Youth Development
At his presentation, Arbeloa expressed a strong belief in nurturing young players. He maintained that the Real Madrid academy, known as La Fábrica, has produced some of the best talents worldwide. Arbeloa stated:
“The youth system is the best in the world, and I trust these players to uphold the expectations of Real Madrid.”
Among the young talents called up are Manuel Ángel, César Palacios, Joan Martínez, David Jiménez, Jorge Cestero, and goalkeepers Sergio Mestre and Fran González. Noteworthy is the omission of Thiago Pitarch, who had previously been a vital player under Arbeloa’s guidance.
As Arbeloa embarks on this journey, the focus on youth alongside the challenges posed by seasoned absences will be closely watched. This debut match against Albacete will be a test of his strategies and the potential of the young squad.
