Arbeloa’s surprise call as Real Madrid prepare for Mestalla visit | OneFootball

Álvaro Arbeloa has prioritised rest over preparation for Real Madrid’s La Liga trip to Mestalla, handing his players time off ahead of Valencia.

According to Superdeporte, the squad were given Monday and Tuesday off and will not train again until Wednesday. Madrid can focus solely on the league after their Copa del Rey exit, while Valencia host Athletic at Mestalla in a quarter-final on Wednesday, leaving them with less recovery.

Madrid beat Rayo at the weekend, but did so thanks to an unjustifiably long added time and a highly controversial penalty. The Bernabéu again criticised the performance, which is why the decision not to return to training until midweek has surprised.

The meeting at Mestalla is expected to be tense, as recent clashes there have been. Carlos Corberán’s side need three points to move further from the relegation places. The visitors need a result to keep pace with Barça in the title race.

Arbeloa will also be without Jude Bellingham and Vinícius. Bellingham sustained a muscle injury on Sunday against Rayo Vallecano. Vinícius deliberately took a fifth yellow card to trigger a suspension and, for reasons only he knows, has preferred not to return to Mestalla.

Source: Superdeporte