Arbeloa defends Madrid players amid dust-up drama
Alvaro Arbeloa has come to the defence of his Real Madrid players after a chaotic week at the club ahead of El Clasico against LaLiga leader Barcelona.
Alvaro Carreras and Kylian Mbappe were both criticised for their attitude, before Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni took centre stage, the two midfielders involved in a bust-up at the training ground that resulted in Valverde suffering a head injury after a fall, and both players were reportedly fined €500,000 for their actions.
Arbeloa will take charge of his first game against Barcelona as Madrid manager in any competition on Monday (AEST) knowing Barca can win the league title if it avoids defeat, and Arbeloa insisted his full focus is now on the match.
"The two players have expressed regret, they've admitted their mistakes, they've accepted the consequences, and they've apologised," Arbeloa said.
"That's enough for me. I won't burn my players at the stake. They don't deserve it, neither of them.
"Valverde and Tchouameni are two players who represent well what Real Madrid is. They deserve an opportunity to keep fighting for this club.
"I'm very proud of them. I won't allow all this to be taken advantage of to doubt my players' professionalism.
"We must turn the page, learn, and continue on the path of Real Madrid, never forgetting that there is a Barcelona-Real Madrid match."
Madrid has won eight of its past 12 LaLiga meetings with Barcelona, as many victories as it managed in the previous 32 Clasico encounters in the competition.
None of the past 12 league encounters have ended in a draw, the longest run without a stalemate in the Clasico in the competition since a streak of 18 matches between 1977 and 1986, Madrid winning 10 and Barcelona eight.
