Coach Alvaro Arbeloa has decided to change Real Madrid’s European preparations. The manager has introduced a twist on what Xabi Alonso and Jose Mourinho were doing at the time. The Spaniard will train directly in the enemy country for Champions League matches, a suitable variation in the team’s logistics.
This formula will debut soon. Next week, Madrid will fly to Lisbon on Tuesday morning, complete their final session at the Estadio da Luz in the afternoon, and face Mourinho’s side on Wednesday. The plan is to move the center of activity from Valdebebas on the eve of the continental tournament.
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Xabi Alonso, who has carried this trend back to Europe, has previously preferred to leave pre-training at home and then travel, limiting appearances at rival stadiums to protocol commitments. This is a method of preparation for games that Coach Arbeloa decided to reconsider.
Xavi justified this choice with a phrase that sums up his philosophy. “This is my decision because we have to prepare for the match and we prefer to play in our own Ciudad Deportiva, in our own space, without being seen by 200 cameras.” Arbeloa chooses a different path without the possibility of being a “spy.”
