Real Madrid believe fitness crisis has been resolved thanks to key January appointment

Real Madrid believe fitness crisis has been resolved thanks to key January appointment

Florentino Perez’s decision to overhaul the technical staff in January was a clear signal that the status quo was no longer sufficient.

While the headlines focused on Alvaro Arbeloa replacing Xabi Alonso, the return of Antonio Pintus as the head of physical preparation has been equally transformative.

Tasked with reviving a squad that appeared physically spent, the Italian has successfully stabilised a team previously plagued by persistent injuries.

Pintus has done his job

According to Defensa Central, Real Madrid believe Pintus has done his job well by ensuring there are no physical bottlenecks in the team and that players are performing to their peak fitness.

The Italian fitness coach has worked directly with the squad to erase the injury crisis that defined the first half of the season.

With the exception of the long-term absence of Rodrygo, the streak of bad luck seems to be over. Key figures like Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, and Eder Militao have all successfully returned to the fold.

Militao has impressed a lot since returning to action. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Militao, in particular, has impressed a lot and is primed for a start in the second leg clash against Bayern Munich.

Furthermore, Pintus has been credited with helping Jude Bellingham rediscover his physical dominance in the engine room, while Militão is gradually approaching his elite pre-injury form.

The club’s management is delighted with the impact Pintus has made. However, the club are still bothered by the team’s lapses in concentration.

Despite the physical resurgence, the team has struggled to take the necessary step forward tactically. Serious lapses in focus during the closing stages of matches have seen leads evaporate and points dropped.

The onus, therefore, is on Arbeloa to ensure his players regain their mental focus for the full 90 minutes if they are to have any hope of a late-season success.