MADRID: Real Madrid’s emphatic 6-1 demolition of Ligue 1 side AS Monaco in the Champions League could mark a decisive turning point in their season, coach Alvaro Arbeloa said on Friday, as his team look to extend their LaLiga momentum.
The tension that hung over the Santiago Bernabeu during last weekend’s uneasy 2-0 league win over struggling Levante was nowhere to be seen on Tuesday, with Real producing a vibrant performance that helped reconnect a restless crowd after a difficult spell.
Madrid have endured a turbulent period, losing the Spanish Super Cup final to arch-rivals Barcelona, seeing manager Xabi Alonso depart, and suffering a shock Copa del Rey round-of-16 exit to second-tier Albacete. The Monaco victory, however, appeared to lift both players and supporters.
Fans rallied behind the team, particularly Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham, who had been whistled against Levante but were loudly cheered after scoring in the European clash.
“Hopefully the match against Monaco will be the turning point we need,” Arbeloa told reporters ahead of Saturday’s LaLiga visit to Villarreal. “It was our moment to step up, to bring joy. They did it, and it’s very important for achieving our goals.”Real are second in LaLiga with 48 points from 20 matches, one point behind leaders Barcelona, who host bottom side Real Oviedo on Sunday. Villarreal sit third on 41 points.
