Valdano weighs in on Arbeloa vs Alonso: Real Madrid's new spark

What Valdano says about Arbeloa vs Alonso

Jorge Valdano, the former Real Madrid player and coach, weighed in on the shift under manager Alvaro Arbeloa, contrasting it with Xabi Alonso's era.

He applauded the physical intensity Madrid showed in their 2-0 win over Villarreal, saying Arbeloa's approach is building players' confidence and cohesion—moments of genuine harmony from the first minute to the 90th.

In quotes reported by Marca, Valdano warned that good physical condition cannot magically appear in a single week, and there is little scientific basis to assume it will last.

Why Arbeloa's Madrid feels different

Valdano pointed to Arbeloa's work ethic and communication as keys to a more unified squad. He noted that under Alonso, players would respond for 20–25 minutes, then drift, disperse, and sometimes struggle in games.

He described the current Madrid as disciplined and relentlessly applying effort to boost self-confidence across the squad, a stark contrast to the Alonso era's locker-room tensions, including public clashes with Vinicius Junior.

Regarding the Villarreal match, he credited Mbappe's goals for the win but insisted the team did not rely on an extraordinary goalkeeper to secure the result; the collective discipline mattered more.

Valdano concluded that players feel more comfortable under Arbeloa, and he suggested Arbeloa understands what happened previously and is actively addressing it.

And for context, Alonso's tenure had notable friction and controversy, underscoring a broader difference in leadership style and locker-room dynamics.

Punchline time: If Arbeloa’s method keeps paying off, Real Madrid might start selling training-ground autographs. Punchline 2: Alonso’s era had more drama than a telenovela; Arbeloa’s time is more like a well-timed goal celebration—subtle, satisfying, and oddly refreshing.