Ask Flick’s Barcelona – Arbeloa fires back after Atletico rout

Madrid, Spain – Real Madrid head coach Álvaro Arbeloa offered a terse rebuttal to Hansi Flick on Saturday, answering the Barcelona boss with a four-word reminder of the Blaugrana’s 4-0 humiliation at the hands of Atlético Madrid.

The exchange began earlier this week when Flick, reacting to suggestions that Barcelona had enjoyed a gentle cup schedule filled with lower-division opponents, told reporters: “Ask Real Madrid.” The German clarified he meant no disrespect to Madrid but rather sought to praise Segunda and Primera RFEF sides for their competitiveness.

Arbeloa, speaking after his own team’s training session, declined to elaborate on the topic, instead fixing a steady gaze on the assembled media and stating: “I have nothing to comment. Ask Flick’s Barca.”

The remark lands at a pivotal moment for both clubs. Barcelona’s heavy defeat to Atlético has intensified scrutiny of Flick’s project, while Madrid approach Sunday’s visit of high-flying Real Sociedad knowing victory would lift them to the La Liga summit before their rivals kick off again on Monday night. Real Sociedad arrive in the capital on a seven-win streak from nine matches under Pellegrino Matarazzo in the 2026 campaign.

Inside Madrid’s Valdebebas complex, Arbeloa is simultaneously managing squad harmony. Dani Carvajal’s frustration over limited minutes reportedly boiled over on Tuesday, prompting a candid on-field discussion between player and coach. Sources describe the exchange as robust but constructive, with both parties leaving the session satisfied.

“It’s common for a player to be unhappy if they don’t play as much as they want,” Arbeloa said. “Everyone wants to feel important. If they’ve come to Real Madrid, it’s because they’ve been important, and that’s key. I encourage everyone to work hard, and if you’re not happy, you can sit on the bench. But the team should always come before the individual.”

Pressed on Carvajal’s progress, the coach struck an optimistic tone: “He’s getting better all the time. He’s had another week of training… and the person most interested in seeing him at his best is me. Obviously.”

Arbeloa, who played under a string of demanding managers during his own career, stressed that personal rapport underpins his leadership style. “I’ve had a lot of it, because that’s what I enjoy. It’s my way of working and how I understand my role. When I was a player, I liked having that relationship with the coach. Now I try to talk to everyone about everything, although obviously, mostly about football.”

The squad reinforced that spirit midweek by organising a private dinner, an initiative the coach endorsed despite learning that defender Raúl Asencio did not arrive home until 3 a.m. “I always think it’s great when they get together,” Arbeloa said. “I’m delighted by things like that. I enjoyed them a lot when I was younger.”

With Madrid’s next assignment pitting them against the league’s form side, Arbeloa’s dual challenge is clear: maintain dressing-room unity while capitalising on any vulnerability in a Barcelona side still reeling from their derby collapse.

Asked whether he would elaborate on his tactical plans for containing Real Sociedad’s fluid attack, Arbeloa smiled and demurred, preferring instead to let Sunday’s football do the talking—just as he believes Flick’s Barcelona must now answer for theirs.

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