Alvaro Arbeloa says he’s decided to see Dani Carvajal again at his finest, amid hypothesis over the Actual Madrid stalwart’s future.
Carvajal has managed simply 10 Madrid appearances this season in all competitions, making solely 4 begins.
The 34-year-old has featured for 470 minutes this time period, and Arbeloa chosen teen David Jimenez forward of Carvajal for final week’s LaLiga win over Valencia.
Reviews earlier this week steered Carvajal was sad at Madrid, with rumours additionally suggesting he will probably be leaving the membership on the finish of the season.
Arbeloa, although, says no person is keener than he’s to see Carvajal again at his finest stage.
“I communicate with Carvajal each week. I see him getting nearer and nearer to his finest type,” Madrid coach Arbeloa advised reporters forward of Saturday’s LaLiga conflict with Actual Sociedad.
“He’ll need to show it by taking part in, and he’ll do it quickly.
“He’s had one other week of coaching, and the individual most involved in seeing him at his finest is me, clearly.”
Madrid are only a level behind Barcelona on the high of LaLiga, and with the Blaugrana not taking part in till Monday, Los Blancos have the prospect to maneuver high of the standings.
Arbeloa is now a month into his tenure since changing Xabi Alonso, however he was eager to focus simply on what’s in entrance of Madrid, relatively than the larger image.
“I’m not enthusiastic about something aside from tomorrow’s sport,” he mentioned.
“There’s all the time room for enchancment and growth. That’s what I’m targeted on. I’m pleased with how we’ve skilled this week, and hopefully tomorrow’s sport will probably be higher than the final one, however not as unhealthy because the one after.”
@DaniCarvajal92 pic.twitter.com/OYvxMUfS1i
— Actual Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) February 13, 2026
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Actual Madrid – Kylian Mbappe
Arbeloa confirmed Mbappe needs to be match to function on the Santiago Bernabeu.
Mbappe has been concerned in 5 objectives in three LaLiga video games towards La Actual (4 objectives and one help), solely taking part in a direct half in additional objectives within the competitors towards Villarreal (six, 5 objectives and one help in 4 video games).
Actual Sociedad – Carlos Soler
Soler has scored 5 objectives in 12 LaLiga video games towards Madrid, making them his favorite opponent to attain towards within the competitors.
He’s additionally considered one of solely three gamers to have scored a hat-trick towards Madrid in LaLiga because the 2020-21 season (in November 2020 with Valencia), alongside Valentin Castellanos and Alexander Sorloth.
MATCH PREDICTION: REAL MADRID WIN
After beating Barcelona in January (2-1), Pellegrino Matarazzo might change into solely the third Actual Sociedad supervisor to win his first LaLiga match towards each Barca and Madrid, after Harry Lowe in 1931 and Javier Exposito in 1991.
Madrid have scored seven objectives from their defenders in LaLiga 2025-26, the joint most of any group thus far this time period (stage with Espanyol).
La Actual, however, have conceded at the very least one purpose in every of their final 17 LaLiga matches (22 objectives conceded), the longest present run of any group within the competitors and their longest within the top-flight since 2011 (additionally 17 video games, 33 objectives conceded).
However they’re unbeaten of their final seven LaLiga video games (W4 D3) and need to go eight or extra with out defeat within the competitors for the primary time since November 2021, a run of 13 video games (W8 D5) underneath Imanol Alguacil.
Madrid have gained their final seven matches in LaLiga, scoring precisely two objectives in six of these video games, their longest successful streak in a single league marketing campaign since Could 2024 (W9).
Los Blancos have gained their final 5 matches towards La Actual in LaLiga, yet another victory than of their earlier 10 conferences with them within the competitors (W4 D3 L3).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Actual Madrid – 64.9%
Draw – 18.6%
Actual Sociedad – 16.5%