Radical Prep Move: Arbeloa Breaks Tradition as Real Madrid Prepares in Lisbon for Crucial Showdown
23 January 2026
Strategy shift ahead of European clash
Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid's coach, has chosen a new approach to preparing the team for the Champions League, breaking with the methods long favored by Xabi Alonso and previously Jose Mourinho.
Spanish daily Marca reported that Arbeloa decided to move the final training session to the country where the game will be played, a move that marks a radical shift in the team's logistics.
The plan will take effect next week, with Real Madrid traveling to Lisbon on Tuesday morning to hold their final training in the afternoon at the Da Luz stadium, ahead of facing Mourinho's team on Wednesday. In this arrangement, the team's operation center shifts away from the Valdebebas base on the eve of European matches.
Xabi Alonso had favored training in Spain before traveling, with the squad's presence at the opponent's stadium limited to the official protocol. Alonso described it as his decision since they needed to prep for the match on their own turf, away from 200 cameras, while Arbeloa chooses a path with less surveillance.
Mourinho test and the qualification race
In the final round of the league stage, Mourinho faces a tough test against Real Madrid, his former club, in an effort to thwart Arbeloa's sudden start, whom he coached for years.
Arbeloa aims to pick up three points to secure a top-eight finish that goes directly to the last-16 stage, without a playoff. Mourinho's side must beat Real Madrid and hope for rivals' slip-ups to reach a playoff position, a vital objective to avoid dismissal.
Real Madrid sit third with 15 points and need a win to guarantee direct qualification; otherwise, other teams could catch them.
Punchline: They moved training to Lisbon to dodge 200 cameras—at this rate, the only thing under surveillance will be the snack choices in the locker room.
Punchline: If Arbeloa's plan works, Mourinho might start calling him the tactician with a passport—and if it fails, the stadium will still see enough drama to fill a season highlight reel.
