Real Madrid vs. Levante — Saturday at 7:30 a.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT on TSN+
Real Madrid in Crisis Mode
Looking to steady the ship after a week of turmoil, Real Madrid returns to the Bernabeu to take on Levante. There is no scenario in which a Real Madrid loss to Barcelona will be met with anything but the gnashing of teeth and rending of garments by Madristas, but the 3-2 defeat to Barca in the Supercopa last Sunday proved to be thoroughly consequential.
On Monday, Los Blancos moved on from Xabi Alonso after only 31 matches in charge. The club legend left with 22 wins, four draws and five losses. Though the official language from the club was a "parting of ways," Alonso was fired.
New Coach Alvaro Arbeloa Takes Over
Though the manager of Real Madrid can never be too comfortable considering the eternally lofty expectations, this particular dismissal seemed unusually ruthless with Real only four points behind Barca in the battle for the top of the table and their Champions League campaign still going strong.
Alonso was only hired in the spring and his quality as a manager was demonstrated by leading Bayer Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga crown in 2024 after an undefeated domestic season. The 44-year-old World Cup winner was one of the most sought-after young managers in Europe.
The world of football never sits still and Real had a Round of 16 Copa del Rey only 48 hours after Alonso's sacking. Promoted from reserve manager, former Spain defender Alvaro Arbeloa was named head coach of the side moving forward. Also a World Cup winner, Arbeloa won five major honours in his seven seasons at the Bernabeu as a player.
The pressure became very real for Arbeloa immediately. Los Blancos managed to fall 3-2 to second-division Albacete and crash out of the Copa. It was the second time in three years that Real exited the tournament at this stage, but it couldn't have come at a worse time.
Arbeloa's First League Match in Charge
Still reeling from all of the tumult at the club and rumours of impending player departures with Alonso's exit, Arbeloa gets his first taste of league action on Saturday with a visit from second-to-bottom Levante.
"I have huge respect for the Bernabeu's opinion," Arbeloa said at his prematch press conference. "I understand that fans are hurt and disappointed with us. I'm going to ask them to support their players. In the club's 123-year history, the great feats, the great triumphs, and the titles have come when the Bernabeu got behind its players."
The 42-year-old Arbeloa hopes that the home fans can rally their players.
"[Late Real legend] Juanito once said that 90 minutes at the Bernabeu are very long, and he didn't say 90 minutes against Real Madrid players, he said at the Bernabeu," Arbeloa said. "That's what I'll ask of our fans. Despite the disappointment they're feeling, I want them by our side, supporting us, so we can make this season as good as we want it to be."
He also didn't shy away from the expectations that have already been heaped upon him as manager of one of world football's iconic clubs that is currently going through a difficult spell.
"I understand people look for someone to blame," Arbeloa said. "I'm working to find solutions. Everything that happens on the pitch with my team is my responsibility."
Villarreal Chasing Three Wins
Later, Tani Oluwaseyi, Tajon Buchanan and the rest of Villarreal look to make it three wins on the trot when they visit Real Betis.