Arbeloa and Pintus target reset as Madrid get rare two-week training window | OneFootball

Madrid finally have a breather after six matches in 19 days under Arbeloa, giving fitness chief Antonio Pintus the chance to shape the workload. He has regained prominence since Arbeloa replaced Xabi.

As reported by AS, there are no midweek fixtures for two weeks. Mestalla awaits on Sunday 21:00, then Real Sociedad visit on Saturday 14 at 21:00.

Arbeloa wants to iron out the peaks after Rayo, where Brahim won a penalty that Mbappé tucked away. With no cup dates, quarter-finals are between three and five February and the semi-first leg is 11 February, Madrid will be training then.

So far his work has been largely emotional, close to the squad and intent on fitting the scheme to their strengths. Pintus has prioritised avoiding overload. Xabi’s last 11 days already contained Betis, Atlético and Barcelona.

Arbeloa argues winning comes from doing many small things well. He downplayed concern about the team’s play but accepts there are steps to take. The next two weeks, he says, must be hours on the grass.

These are crucial days for adaptation, and for Pintus, a popular sergeant in the dressing room, with Arbeloa in Albacete saying there is room to improve physically and Antonio can add a notch. Performances have ranged from dominance at La Cerámica to being outworked in Lisbon, where Benfica ran 10 kilometres more and won the physical and tactical battles. The plan is to work now with Valencia and Real Sociedad in mind, and the longer view.

Source: AS