17e5c6Real Madrid entered a new phase of their season today under the leadership of Álvaro Arbeloa, but at an unusual time, as a rare winter preparation period began after just six matches, following a mid-season coaching change in a campaign marked by inconsistency.
After two days of rest, the squad returned to training with intensity under the guidance of Antonio Pintus, who led a demanding fitness session using his well-known masks. Contrary to popular belief, these masks are not designed to simulate altitude training, but rather to measure players’ maximum physical capacity and oxygen consumption levels, allowing the staff to tailor the ideal physical workload for each player.
The training session lasted nearly three hours and focused heavily on physical conditioning, as part of a clear plan to raise the team’s fitness levels and regain dominance in that aspect. This work comes during a rare window in which Real Madrid’s schedule is free of midweek matches, offering the coaching staff a valuable opportunity for uninterrupted preparation.
The session also brought encouraging medical updates, with Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold edging closer to a return, alongside plans to move Federico Valverde back into his natural midfield role. Meanwhile, both Antonio Rüdiger and Ferland Mendy are nearing full fitness.
Real Madrid continue their preparations ahead of their trip to face Valencia at Mestalla, before welcoming Real Sociedad to the Santiago Bernabéu, fully capitalizing on this “exceptional” physical preparation phase.
Arbeloa summed up the moment by stressing that victories are not achieved through a single factor, but through mastering many small details—something that requires time and hard work on the training ground. With Pintus leading the physical program, Madrid hope this “winter reset” will mark a true turning point in their season.