Alvaro Arbeloa took over Real Madrid five weeks ago and reportedly holds a contract until the end of next season. The club accepted risk by appointing a coach without top-level managerial experience and monitored potential replacements after a slow start and mixed fan reception. A recent run of six wins from seven matches has calmed the hierarchy and put Real top of La Liga. The team must respond in Europe after a 4-2 loss to Benfica that necessitates a play-off and a crucial home second leg. Arbeloa shifted from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 to increase midfield compactness and defensive solidity.
"Image source, Getty Images Alvaro Arbeloa's Real Madrid tenure is only five weeks old - but Tuesday's Champions League trip to Benfica already feels like it could be a defining night for the fledgling boss. The 43-year-old replaced Xabi Alonso last month and, despite no official confirmation, sources close to both the club and Arbeloa told BBC Sport he has a contract until the end of next season."
"Real knew the appointment of a head coach with no top-level managerial experience was risky. And after a slow start for Arbeloa and a less than positive reception from supporters, they quickly started planning for potential replacements - including former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca - in case another change was needed. But after six wins from their past seven matches, there is a new feeling of calm among the Real hierarchy with the club top of La Liga."
"Real's only loss in those seven games came against Benfica, when a sensational 4-2 victory by Jose Mourinho's side left Los Blancos needing a play-off against the same opponents to stay in the competition they have won six times in 12 years. Of course there is a second leg at home to come on Wednesday, 25 February, but failing to reach at least the last 16 - for the first time in more than three decades - is unthinkable for the Real faithful. Since the defeat in Lisbon in January, Arbeloa has made some changes, including tweaking Real's formation. That match was the last time he played with a 4-3-3 formation, where Franco Mastantuono, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr started as the front three. In Real's subsequent three games, Arbeloa has changed to a 4-4-2 set-up, where Mastantuono drops back into midfield to leave Gonzalo Garcia, Vinicius and Mbappe as rotating striker options. "Defensively, it's a structure that closes down the midfield corridor, where there are more players, and allows us to be more compact," Arbeloa said."
Read at www.bbc.com
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