Antonio Pintus’ moment has arrived. The physical coach has fully regained his influence following the managerial change, exactly as the board had hoped. With Álvaro Arbeloa promoted and Xabi Alonso gone, Pintus returned to the forefront. “We need him,” the coach admitted after the defeat to Albacete, echoing the view held inside the club.

Until now, however, the present had left little room to plan for the future. After six matches and just 19 days in charge, Arbeloa had more press conferences than full training sessions. Twelve sessions in total, many of them focused on recovery rather than real work on the pitch. That is about to change.

Real Madrid are finally getting breathing space. Two full weeks without midweek matches. First, two days of rest. Then, starting tomorrow, it becomes Arbeloa’s territory and Pintus’ territory.

For once, the next match will not arrive in two or three days, but in six. After the visit to Mestalla on Sunday at 9:00 PM, Real Sociedad will not play at the Bernabéu until six days later, on Saturday the 14th at 9:00 PM. Weekend after weekend. A rare sight on Real Madrid’s calendar this season, international breaks aside.

For Arbeloa, it is a major relief. One he is openly welcoming. “With these weeks without midweek matches, we’ll try to get the team working and moving in the direction we want,” he said. For Real Madrid, it truly feels like now or never.

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