Albacete v Actual Madrid preview
Alvaro Arbeloa says he “loves” Xabi Alonso and spoke to the deposed Actual Madrid supervisor after taking on from him on Monday.
Alonso left Madrid lower than 24 hours after a Spanish Tremendous Cup remaining defeat to Barcelona, having lasted lower than eight months within the position. Reserve crew boss Arbeloa is now in cost for the journey to Albacete within the Copa del Rey final 16 on Wednesday.
“What I mentioned with Xabi will keep between us,” stated Arbeloa, who was a Madrid full-back between 2001 and 2005 and 2009 and 2016.
“I’m actually wanting ahead to my first match; we now have every thing to play for within the cup. I’ve a unprecedented squad at my disposal. I can’t look forward to it to start out.”
Albacete haven’t been in LaLiga since 2004/05 and are a degree above the second-tier relegation zone after a run of 1 win in seven league matches, though they led and scored a 94th-minute equaliser on their technique to knocking out top-flight opponents Celta Vigo on penalties at dwelling within the Copa del Rey final 16.
“I bought the information by a buddy who despatched me a clipping on WhatsApp,” stated supervisor Alberto Gonzalez, revealing how he came upon about Alonso’s exit.
“It’s clearly a shock. I perceive that such a change isn’t typical at such a crew identical to that. Soccer is about steady adaptation.
“Even with Xabi there, we had large doubts concerning the form of recreation plan he would use, as a result of he made a number of modifications and so forth.
“With a brand new coach, there are much more doubts. We’re centered extra on ourselves and doing what we need to do very well.”
Albacete v Madrid crew information
Defenders Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy and Trent Alexander-Arnold, winger Rodrygo and striker Kylian Mbappe skilled individually throughout Arbeloa’s first session on Tuesday.
Centre-back Eder Militao is predicted to be out till April with a torn hamstring.

Defender Jon García and forwards Higinio Marin and Antonio Puertas are out injured for Albacete. Former Madrid defender Jesus Vallejo joined the membership on a free switch final summer season.
Ex-Ghana youth worldwide Samuel Obeng has joined them from second-tier rivals Ceuta. The ahead performed for Wydad on the 2025 Membership World Cup.
Albacete v Actual Madrid anticipated line-ups
Albacete beginning XI: Diego Marino, Fran Gamez, Jesus Vallejo, Carlos Neva, Jonathan Gomez, Jose Carlos Lazo, Riki, Ale Melendez, Victor Valverde, Agus Medina, Jefte Bentancor
Actual Madrid beginning XI: Thibaut Courtois, Raul Asencio, Aurelien Tchouameni, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Franco Mastantuono, Vinicius Junior, Gonzalo García
Methods to watch Albacete v Madrid: TV channel, stay on-line stream
Kick-off on Wednesday is at 20:00 BST (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT), with stay protection within the UK on Premier Sports activities 2 and streaming accessible on an unlimited vary of gadgets through the Premier Sports activities app.
A Premier Sports subscription prices £120 a 12 months, £11.99 monthly on a 12-month contract or £16.99 monthly with 30 days’ cancellation discover required.
