Another Setback for Real Madrid Ahead of the Match Against Betis in Laliga Which Is Becoming More Complicated

Real Madrid visits Betis at La Cartuja with the obligation to win: Arbeloa adds six youth players and suffers key losses in the final stretch

Must win in Sevilla

Real Madrid has a lot at stake this Friday at the Estadio de La Cartuja, where they will face Real Betis. With six matches ahead and nine points behind Barcelona, the margin for error is minimal: any result other than a victory would further complicate their chances of fighting for the title.

Call-up marked by absences

Álvaro Arbeloa presented the list of call-ups with several significant absences. In addition to the already known absences of Courtois, Rodrygo, Güler, and Militao, Tchouaméni, affected by a hamstring strain, and Dani Ceballos, sidelined by a technical decision, joined in the last hours. The good news is the return of Raúl Asencio, who has overcome stomach issues and is back available.

Youth and hierarchy on the list

The coach made a strong bet on the youth academy, calling up six young players: goalkeepers Sergio Mestre and Javi Navarro, as well as Thiago Pitarch, Diego Aguado, Manuel Ángel, and Jorge Cestero. The inclusion of these names reflects both the need to fill gaps and the intention to give minutes to young talents in a decisive stretch of the season.

The complete list of call-ups is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Lunin, Mestre, and Javi Navarro.
Defenders: Carvajal, Alaba, Trent, Asencio, Á. Carreras, Fran García, Rüdiger, Mendy, Huijsen, and Diego Aguado.
Midfielders: Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Thiago, Cestero, and Manuel Ángel.
Forwards: Vinicius, Mbappé, Gonzalo, Brahim, and Mastantuono.

The challenge for Arbeloa will be to find a balance between the hierarchy of figures like Vinicius, Mbappé, and Bellingham and the energy of the youth players. The match in Seville not only represents the possibility of adding three points but also of sustaining the hope of a championship that seems distant but is not yet lost.