With the meteoric rise of Gonzalo García to the first team after a superb Club World Cup, Arbeloa‘s Castilla side was left somewhat lacking in attack, but the arrival of Rachad Fettal has changed everything. The player, who arrived from Almería, has started his career at Real Madrid on the right foot with three goals in two games, which has caught the attention of Xabi Alonso who, although he already has an overbooking in attack, is not ruling out the player when it comes to making decisions about possible departures.
Arbeloa’s Castilla is flying high
Arbeloa’s Castilla has started the preseason in fine form, with two clear victories against direct rivals. Six goals in two games demonstrate the offensive power of Real Madrid’s reserve team, which, on the other hand, has only conceded one goal. In their first preseason game, the reserve team had already thrashed Marbella 4-0 with a brace from Rachad Fettal and goals from Gabriel Castrelo and Loren Zúñiga. This Saturday, their new victim was Racing de Ferrol (2-1), who will share a group in Primera RFEF after their relegation from LaLiga Hypermotion. Against the Galicians, Rachad found the net once more, joined by Yáñez.
Rachad Fettal: three goals in two games
Arbeloa’s reserve team continues to impress with one player standing out above the rest: Rachad Fettal. Rachad Fettal arrived from Almería and the Moroccan international striker has not disappointed in his debut. Coming off the bench in the friendly against Marbella, he scored two quality goals, but his scoring ability did not stop there, as he also found the net against Racing de Ferrol. Not only that, but before the goal, he had already shown his mischievous side by stealing the ball and setting up Yáñez. This is another display of offensive power that is good news for Real Madrid and a successful signing to strengthen Castilla and feed the first team.
Xabi Alonso paying attention
Xabi Alonso is paying close attention to what is happening with the reserve team. Although the Whites’ attack is currently well stocked with Mbappé, Endrick, and Gonzalo García, the future of the latter two is not clear, so the coach has not ruled out including Rachad Fettal in training or even calling him up if there are injuries or suspensions. The young academy player’s intensity and ability to score goals are the characteristics that the coach likes about him.
Joan Martínez continues to get minutes
Another player that Xabi Alonso is keeping a close eye on is center back Joan Martínez. The player was very close to playing a leading role last season with the first team, but a serious injury thwarted those plans. The so-called ‘new Sergio Ramos’ is back a year after that injury, and Arbeloa is gradually giving him minutes to get up to speed and avoid setbacks.
Against Racing de Ferrol, the defender played for half an hour, ten minutes more than against Marbella. That is the plan, to gradually increase his playing time until he can become a starter and a mainstay in the center of defense. He started against the Galicians and was substituted at the half-hour mark. No risks. He will not only be important for Arbeloa in the reserve team, but Xabi Alonso also wants him in the first team, so it is important to take care of the player as much as possible so that he can be important for the reserve team and get his minutes with the first team if necessary.