Highlights: Man City see red as Real ease into quarter-final
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Alvaro Arbeloa refused to confirm if Trent Alexander-Arnold was dropped for Real Madrid’s 3-2 derby win over Atletico Madrid after being late to training.Alexander-Arnold, who was left out of the England squad for this month’s friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, started in the midweek UEFA Champions League win over Manchester City. However, he was on the bench against Atletico as Dani Carvajal got the nod at right-back.Widespread reports claimed Alexander-Arnold was left out as a form of punishment after turning up late to training. Asked about the decision to bench Alexander-Arnold, who came on in the second half and assisted the winning goal, Madrid head coach Arbeloa said: ”Every game I choose the best starting XI.
“Dani Carvajal had great minutes and I’m very pleased with him. Trent had a great impact and I’m lucky to have many good options, and that everyone is contributing as they did today.
Pressed on the decision, Arbeloa said: ”I repeat once again, in every game I select the best possible line-up for the team.”
Vinicius Junior starred with two goals in an eventful derby clash that saw Madrid fight back from a goal down to triumph.
The result sees them close to four points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Arbeloa says Madrid are ”in a good moment” after their fifth win in a row in all competitions.
”We did what we had to do: win. One more to go and we keep moving forward.
”It’s clear it wasn’t easy, because we were up against a great team who made things difficult for us. We had to show a very strong mentality. After the 2-2 we had to respond and that’s what I liked most: the mentality. That’s what makes us great.”
Madrid finished the match with 10 men after Fede Valverde was given a straight red card for a challenge on Alex Baena.
Arbeloa said he appreciated the referee coming to explain his decision to him, even though it was ”hard to understand.”
”I appreciate him coming to the touchline to explain it to me. Sometimes, in real time, a play looks one way.
”When I watch it again, I might see it differently. Still, those 15 minutes were another great display of character, camaraderie and solidarity. Thank God it didn’t turn into anything serious.”
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