Arbeloa's perfect five: now history awaits in Pamplona
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 21.02.26. | 18:18
Written off as temporary, he now stands on the brink of matching a historic Madrid record
Expectations were enormous when Xabi Alonso arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu after his title-winning heroics with Bayer Leverkusen. But managing Real Madrid's galaxy of stars proved a different challenge. The hierarchy was never fully settled.
When Alvaro Arbeloa stepped in, many saw him as a temporary fix. Instead, he has delivered immediate results.
Five league games. Five wins.
It's a flawless start matched only by a handful of coaches in Madrid's history. Alonso began with six straight victories, while Vanderlei Luxemburgo holds the record with seven. Tonight in Pamplona against Osasuna (8.30 pm), Arbeloa can equal Alonso's mark - and move one step closer to writing his own chapter in club history.
Los Blancos may not be dazzling, but they are relentless. After Barcelona's slip in Girona, Madrid returned to the top of La Liga. A gritty 1-0 win over Benfica in Lisbon further underlined their momentum.
Now comes El Sadar, traditionally one of the toughest away trips in Spain. Osasuna are unbeaten in five and have lost only twice at home all season. Yet Madrid are the league's best visiting side - 27 points from a possible 36, with four straight away wins.
Jude Bellingham remains sidelined, as do Rodrygo and Eder Militao. The expected lineup mirrors the Lisbon victory, with Rudiger anchoring the defence, a Vinicius-Mbappe partnership leading the attack, and Arda Guler supporting.
Earlier this season, Madrid edged Osasuna 1-0 at the Bernabeu. Tonight, Arbeloa isn't just defending top spot, but he's chasing history.
LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 25
Friday
Athletic Bilbao - Elche 2-1 (0-0)
/Guruzeta 64, 89 pen - Silva 68 pen/
Saturday
Real Sociedad - Oviedo 3-3 (0-0)
/Oskarsson 64, 90, Caleta-Car 87 - Vinas 50,52, Bailly 90+2/
Betis - Rayo Vallecano IN PROGRESS
20.30: (5.00) Osasuna (4.10) Real Madrid (1.70)
23.00: (1.50) Atl.Madrid (4.20) Espanyol (6.75)
Sunday
16.00: (2.50) Getafe (2.85) Sevilla (3.40)
18.15: (1.12) Barcelona (12.0) Levante (19.0)
20.30: (1.85) Celta (3.60) Mallorca (4.80)
23.00: (1.75) Villareal (3.85) Valencia (5.00)
Monday
23.00: (2.40) Alaves (3.05) Girona (3.50)
***odds are subject to change***