“It’s not the final match. We’ll play again in 3 days.” Arbeloa explained why Mbappé was taken off the field.
“It’s not the final match yet. We’ll play in three days.” Alvaro Arbeloa explained why Mbappé was sent off from the bench. The former defender and current coach of Castilla commented on the decision of the coaching staff to start the match with Kylian Mbappé on the bench. According to him, the Frenchman’s absence from the starting lineup isn’t a tactical experiment, nor is it a punishment. It’s simply a standard practice for managing physical fatigue during a tight schedule. “For me, it’s obvious that a player who couldn’t play with the team a few days ago shouldn’t immediately be put back into action,” said Arbeloa. He emphasized the importance of recovery time. The coach added that this match wasn’t a decisive one. In three days, Madrid will face another important match. “It’s completely normal,” he concluded. This approach fits perfectly into the philosophy of modern top clubs, where medical staff and coaches work together to manage the players’ workload. Mbappé has already shown his value as he adapts to the intensity of La Liga. But his physical condition remains the top priority. Given that the season isn’t over yet, proper rotation of players becomes a strategic advantage, rather than a forced measure. It’s expected that Mbappé will once again be in the starting lineup in the next match, allowing him to get the necessary rest and return to his best form.