Álvaro Arbeloa stepped in as Real Madrid head coach earlier this month. He replaced Xabi Alonso after only seven months. Arbeloa’s start wasn’t smooth.
The team lost a Copa del Rey match to second-division Albacete Balompié. But things turned around fast. Three straight wins followed that initial defeat, including a big 6-1 Champions League victory over Monaco at the Bernabéu.
Real Madrid now sits just one point behind Barcelona in LaLiga. They face a crucial Champions League match on Wednesday. It’s against Benfica in Lisbon.
A Swift, Decisive Change
Xabi Alonso’s tenure was brief, seven months. It ended after an early Copa del Rey exit. Reports suggested Alonso struggled with squad favor. This included top players like Vinícius Júnior.
Sources indicated conflicts, like with Vinícius in an October El Clásico. There was also skepticism from Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Mbappé, and Thibaut Courtois.
Florentino Pérez, the club president, met with some players. He warned Jude Bellingham and four others to change their attitude. This happened after Alonso’s sacking.
Arbeloa stepped into this situation. His appointment seems to have sparked a new spirit in the team. Fans had even whistled players after Alonso was dismissed.
Tactical Shifts and Star Power
Arbeloa’s record since taking over is strong: three wins in four games. The 6-1 Champions League rout of Monaco was his first European match. Jude Bellingham scored in that win. Bellingham has 4 goals in 17 LaLiga appearances this season.
He also has 2 goals in 6 Champions League games. His form is improving, especially after recovering from shoulder surgery earlier in the 2025-26 season.
Arbeloa has been starting Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior together every match since the Copa del Rey loss. This shows a clear tactical priority. He’s managing the big names with a measured approach. This helps tactical harmony, especially with the Mbappé-Vinícius pairing. And it appears to be working.
Mourinho’s Nod, Arbeloa’s Vision
José Mourinho, the current Benfica coach, had words for Arbeloa. “Arbeloa can coach any club in the world,” Mourinho said on Tuesday, as ESPN reported. But Mourinho also joked, “I only want things to go badly for them tomorrow.” He spoke fondly of Alonso, too, calling him “another of my boys.”
Arbeloa holds Mourinho in high regard. “Mourinho laid the foundations,” he said, referencing a past Champions League win 12 years ago. Arbeloa believes Mourinho has “always been valued within the club.” The new coach is direct with his players, too.
He even told Bellingham in training, “I don’t usually say this, but you need to stop running.” This happened two days after a match, according to Goal.com.
Arbeloa praises Bellingham as a future “cornerstone” for Real Madrid. He told reporters, “From day one, I’ve seen a player with exceptional quality… He’s a leader… cornerstone of this Real Madrid for many years,” ESPN stated. Arbeloa’s focus remains simple.
He said, “We require time, effort, and training. Our focus must remain on the next match.” That next match is big. Real Madrid plays Benfica in Lisbon on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
A win there means securing knockout stage qualification. The team needs this win. The pressure is on, but Arbeloa’s brief tenure has brought new life to the squad.
Govind Singh 
Sagnik Banerjee 
Priyanjan Paul