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Football Insider

Unfair Decision by Arbeloa Raises Eyebrows in Real Madrid's Win Over Atletico

Real Madrid's head coach, Alvaro Arbeloa, has faced criticism for benching star players Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham in the recent victory over Atletico Madrid. Despite their declared fitness, the cautious approach taken in their integration sparked debate at the Bernabeu as Madrid chases La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Unfair Decision by Arbeloa Raises Eyebrows in Real Madrid's Win Over Atletico

Alvaro Arbeloa has admitted to being "intentionally unfair" after leaving superstars Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham on the bench for Real Madrid's thrilling 3-2 derby victory over Atletico Madrid. Despite declaring both players fully fit before the clash, the head coach opted for a cautious approach following their recent injury lay-offs. The decision sparked debate at the Bernabeu as Los Blancos continue their pursuit of La Liga leaders Barcelona.Madrid secured a vital 3-2 victory over cross-city rivals Atletico, but the headlines were dominated by Arbeloa’s team selection. Despite Bellingham returning from a 10-match absence and Mbappe being declared "100% fit" following a knee sprain, both started amongst the substitutes. Mbappe was eventually introduced in the 64th minute for Thiago Pitarch, while Bellingham replaced Arda Guler 10 minutes later. The cautious integration of the pair comes at a critical juncture, with Madrid sitting four points behind Barcelona in the title race with only nine games remaining.Addressing the media after the final whistle, Arbeloa was candid about the difficulty of managing a squad of world-class talents. "That is my greatest goal as a coach: to be unfair and to feel it, because the players deserve much more. That is my objective - that everyone feels they have my confidence, even though I will have to be unfair," Arbeloa explained.Regarding the specific management of his forwards, he added: "Every day I try to field the best eleven. When you have the best player in the world... the normal thing is to keep progressing. Kylian had some very good minutes and I'm sure he'll get more playing time with his national team."The return of Bellingham poses a tactical challenge for Arbeloa, who must re-integrate the 22-year-old into a functioning system. "He's been out of action for quite some time, and I hope his progress continues like today and like Mbappe's. We need to find a place for him (Bellingham), for him to connect properly with his teammates, and for him to feel comfortable. The problem is that he's very good at many things, and sometimes you have to choose what's best for the team depending on the match," the manager noted.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingWith the domestic schedule paused, the focus shifts to the international stage where Mbappe will feature for France while Bellingham joins up with the England squad. These fixtures serve as crucial preparation for the World Cup, but Arbeloa will be watching anxiously, hoping his stars return unscathed. Upon their return to Valdebebas, Madrid face a relentless schedule. With Mbappe currently leading the Liga scoring charts with 23 goals, his fitness - and Bellingham's creative influence - could well be the deciding factors in whether Los Blancos can overhaul Barcelona’s lead.

1

The Controversial Team Selection

In a surprising move, Arbeloa opted to bench both Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham for Real Madrid's clash against Atletico Madrid, despite them being deemed fully fit. The decision stirred debate among fans and pundits, as Madrid secured a crucial 3-2 win in the derby.

2

Arbeloa's Justification

Addressing the media post-match, Arbeloa admitted to intentionally being unfair in his squad selections, stating that his primary goal as a coach is to ensure every player feels they have his confidence, even if it means making tough decisions. He emphasized the need for the best players to keep improving and hinted at Mbappe's increased playing time.

3

Tactical Challenges Ahead

The return of Bellingham from a lengthy absence presents a tactical challenge for Arbeloa, who must find the right balance in re-integrating the young midfielder into the team. With Mbappe currently leading the Liga scoring charts, the manager's decisions could play a crucial role in Madrid's pursuit of Barcelona.

4

International Commitments and Future Fixtures

As Mbappe and Bellingham head off to represent their national teams, Arbeloa will be monitoring their performances closely, hoping for their safe return ahead of a busy schedule for Real Madrid. The manager will rely on their fitness and contributions to potentially bridge the gap with Barcelona in the title race.

Published on Mar 23, 2026