Real Madrid will attempt to lift some of the gloom enveloping the Santiago Bernabeu when they play host to already-relegated Oviedo tomorrow night.
It has been a thoroughly miserable few weeks for the 15-time European champions who have found themselves at the centre of allegations regarding dressing room disenchantment that peaked with a fracas between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Valverde ended up in hospital with concussion and both midfielders were slapped with a €500,000 fine.
Kylian Mbappe has also faced fierce criticism in recent weeks, most notably for his decision to go on holiday with his girlfriend rather than stay in the Spanish capital and continue his recovery from a hamstring injury sustained against Real Betis on April 24.
To cap it all, president Florentino Perez emerged from the shadows last night to reveal all was not good in the boardroom either. The 79-year-old, who ranted at the assembled media at a hastily arranged press conference, said he would call a presidential election to root out the “bad people” that were undermining his work.
Amid this background of chaos, Alvaro Arbeloa has been struggling to get a tune out of a squad that has mustered just two wins in their last eight games in all competitions.
Madrid barely got out of second gear at Camp Nou on Sunday night as Barcelona strolled to the most routine of 2-0 wins to secure the title.
Arbeloa, who is almost certain to make way for the returning Jose Mourinho at the end of the season, dismissed the suggestion he cannot motivate the players and insisted he was right not to criticise them in public.
He said: “I understand the criticism for the decisions I make. Sometimes I say what I think and other times I say what I should. But that’s how I relate to the players, that’s how I’ve done it in the reserve team too. A coach must be a shield for his players.
“When I’m with them I say things that I wouldn’t say here. Always with respect. I have been demanding, I have challenged them, I have given them my vision of what to improve, what we did well, what we did wrong. I wouldn’t change how I’ve defended my players here.”
Oviedo’s relegation was confirmed following a 1-1 draw between Rayo Vallecano and Girona on Monday night and they will return to the Segunda Division after just one season in the top flight.
Coach Guillermo Almada says they won’t be lacking motivation in Madrid, however.
“The players have killed themselves on the pitch to get results, nothing was held back,” he said. “We have three games left and we represent the city, a prestigious club and a loyal fanbase. We have to try to win to mitigate the pain of relegation. Our fans deserve the best in the world for the support they have given us.”
Team news for Real Madrid v Oviedo
Mbappe trained yesterday and will return to the squad if he has no issues in today’s session. Dani Carvajal is also fit and could be on the bench but Dean Huijsen is a concern. Valverde is still out due to his head injury while Eder Militao, Arda Guler, Rodygo and Ferland Mendy are long-term absentees.
Oviedo will be without Javi Lopez and Kwasi Sibo through suspension after they were both sent off against Getafe. Eric Bailly and Leander Dendoncker are doubtful due to injury.
Predicted line-ups for Real Madrid v Oviedo
Real Madrid: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Rudiger, F Garcia; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Diaz, Bellingham; Vinicius Jr, G Garcia
Oviedo: Escandell; Alhassane, Calvo, Costas, Vidal; Fernandez, Reina, Cazorla, Hassan; Vinas, Chaira
Where to watch Real Madrid v Oviedo: TV and online streams
Real Madrid versus Oviedo kicks off at 8.30pm BST on Thursday night. It can be watched in the UK on Premier Sports 1 and streamed via the Premier Sports app.
Stats for Real Madrid v Oviedo
- Real Madrid have not lost to Oviedo since 1998
- Oviedo’s last league trip to the Bernabeu came in 2001 and ended in a 4-0 defeat with Luis Figo and Steve McManaman among the goalscorers
Prediction for Real Madrid v Oviedo
It will be much too little, too late, but Madrid should run out comfortable winners.
Prediction: Real Madrid 3-0 Oviedo
