Real Madrid's squad tensions escalated after the sacking of Xabi Alonso, leading to a physical altercation between Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde during training. Internal disputes among players regarding Alonso's departure have contributed to a toxic atmosphere within the team.
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Revealed: Real Madrid squad tensions began when Xabi Alonso was sacked
Real Madrid have had a tumultuous pre-El Clasico week, and everything came to head on Thursday when Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde came to blows during training. The pair got into a heated argument on Wednesday, and 24 hours later, the matter escalated significantly, and they are now each being investigated internally.
The case involving Tchouameni and Valverde, which the latter has attempted to downplay, is the latest in a long line of little incidents that have caused the Real Madrid dressing room to become incredibly toxic and divided. According to El Mundo, the root cause was the clubâs decision to part ways with former head coach Xabi Alonso after the Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona in January, which many of the players did not agree with.
There were a number of players in the Real Madrid squad that were pro-Alonso, and just as many were in favour of him being moved on. This created internal disputes, and these have now snowballed into the recent incidents that have taken place with Tchouameni and Valverde, and also with Antonio Rudiger, who slapped fellow defender Alvaro Carreras in another altercation.
The tensions began after the sacking of former head coach Xabi Alonso, which divided players into pro-Alonso and anti-Alonso factions.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde had a physical altercation during training, and Antonio Rudiger slapped teammate Alvaro Carreras in another incident.
Alonso's departure led to internal disputes among players, creating a toxic environment that has manifested in multiple altercations.
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The incident involving Valverde and Tchouameni prompted an intervention from general manager Jose Angel Sanchez, while the higher-ups â including president Florentino Perez â are said to be very disappointing in the playing squad, whom club sources refer to as being âvery immature group, they are like childrenâ.
The Real Madrid hierarchy have also been left disappointed with Alvaro Arbeloaâs role, or lack thereof, in the matter. There is a feeling that he should have been able to control his players better, and he has been accused of barely being involved in either of the incidents that took place between Tchouameni and Valverde on Wednesday and Thursday.