Real Madrid may have secured a crucial win over Espanyol, but one of the biggest talking points from the match had little to do with the scoreline.
Instead, the spotlight has shifted to a growing selection call made by Alvaro Arbeloa.
According to recent reports from El Mundo, Fran Garcia has now moved ahead of Alvaro Carreras in the pecking order.
This shift is not purely tactical but appears to come from internal issues between Carreras and the coaching staff.
What’s the story?
The situation became clear during the clash against Espanyol, as Arbeloa opted to start Ferland Mendy. However, that decision quickly backfired.
Just ten minutes into the match, Mendy pulled up while tracking back, clutching his right hip in visible discomfort.
It was yet another injury setback in what has been a frustrating season for the French defender.
Fran Garcia is Arbeloa’s preferred choice over Carreras. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
At that moment, many expected Carreras to step in as the natural replacement. Instead, Arbeloa made a different call, turning to Fran Garcia from the bench.
Why was Carreras left out?
Reports suggest that tensions between Carreras and Arbeloa had already been building in recent weeks.
The defender had been left out of previous starting line-ups, with concerns reportedly centred around his attitude.
From the coaching staff’s point of view, his behaviour did not meet expectations, which led to reduced opportunities on the pitch.
That situation now appears to have escalated and the latest selection choice against Espanyol is being seen as confirmation that Fran Garcia has overtaken Carreras in the manager’s plans.
What once looked like healthy competition for a starting spot has now turned into a clear shift in preference.
As such, the pecking order could shift next season, mostly because Real Madrid will be under new management, and it will be interesting to see how the new coach handles the situation.
