Alvaro Arbeloa’s decision after Rayo Vallecano win sparks frustration among Real Madrid fans | OneFootball

Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano, but it goes without saying that the result did little to hide what was a deeply unconvincing performance from Los Blancos. 

This is because the three points only arrived dramatically, with Kylian Mbappe converting a decisive penalty in the 100th minute.

It was a night to forget in terms of football quality, as Real Madrid struggled throughout the match and only managed to edge past Rayo once the visitors were reduced to nine men. 

Despite the win, the overall display raised fresh concerns about the team’s form, intensity, and ability to control games.

Questionable decision

Those concerns grew louder after a decision taken by head coach Alvaro Arbeloa. 

According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, the Real Madrid manager chose to give his squad two full days off after the narrow victory. 

The decision means the players will not return to training until Wednesday, February 4, leaving just a few sessions to prepare for Sunday’s league clash away at Mestalla against Valencia.

Real Madrid were very unconvincing against Rayo Vallecano. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

It must be noted that after the tense win over Rayo, Arbeloa publicly acknowledged that improvements are needed. 

“We have a lot of work ahead of us,” he had said.

That comment suggested awareness of the difficulties Real Madrid are facing when it comes to seeing out matches and maintaining consistency. 

However, the revelation that the squad would not train on either Monday or Tuesday has caused surprise and frustration among supporters.

All eyes on Arbeloa

While rest is an important part of modern football, many fans believe that active recovery and light training sessions are equally vital, especially after such a poor performance. 

Reports indicate that tension among the fanbase continues to grow, as decisions like granting two days off following an underwhelming display are seen by many supporters as a lack of discipline. 

The whistles heard at the Santiago Bernabeu in recent weeks have become more frequent, and with a difficult trip ahead, Arbeloa’s handling of the squad will remain under scrutiny.