Article by Romeo Ene – Published on Sunday, 10 May 2026, 22:37 / Updated on Sunday, 10 May 2026 22:45
The atmosphere around Real is hotter than ever. Just 72 hours after the brutal physical conflict between Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde, coach Alvaro Arbeloa chose a controversial strategy.
The technician “rewarded” the French international with a place in the first “11” for the derby at Camp Nou.
Aurelien Tchouameni, starter in Barcelona – Real Madrid, three days after putting Valverde in the hospital
The conflict started from the accusations of the Uruguayan Valverde. He pointed to Tchouameni as the “mole” who delivers confidential information to the press.
Tensions escalated in training, where Fede's tough tackles were followed by a violent backlash: the Frenchman hit Valverde, leaving him with a head injury and the need for stitches after he crashed into a table.
The management of the club at the Bernabeu did not remain passive in the face of acts of indiscipline, even if Arbeloa decided not to exclude them from the team for tactical reasons. Both players were fined a whopping €500,000 each, a record sum meant to restore order in the team's locker room.
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Thibaut Courtois returned to Real Madrid in goal, absent in the last 8 matches due to an injury.
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Raul Asencio was appointed in the center of the defense after four matches in which he was injured or left on the bench.
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Gonzalo Garcia was started in attack in place of Kylian Mbappe. The Real star injured himself in training on Sunday, leaving him early, although Arbeloa intended to bring him on in the second half.
The starting teams in Barcelona – Real Madrid
FC Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia – E. Garcia, Cubarsi, G. Martin, Cancelo – Gavi, Pedri – Fermin, Olmo, Rashford – F. Torres
reserves: Aller, Araujo, Balde, Bardghij, Bernal, Casado, De Jong, Espart, Kounde, Lewandowski, Raphinha, Szczesny
Coach: Hansi Flick
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois – Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Fran Garcia – Camavinga, Tchouameni, Bellingham – Brahim, Gonzalo, Vinicius
reserves: Lunin, Mestre, Alaba, Asencio, Carreras, Mastantuono, Cestero, Jimenez, Palacios, Pitarch
Coach: Alvaro Arbeloa
The up-to-date standings in La Liga
