With Vinícius Júnior suspended and Jude Bellingham joining a crowded injury list, Álvaro Arbeloa is expected to hand Rodrygo his first start of 2026 in a high-stakes La Liga clash.
The Brazilian Swap: Rodrygo’s Big Opportunity
Real Madrid’s preparations for the Valencia match have been dominated by selection headaches. Vinícius Júnior is officially ruled out after picking up a milestone yellow card against Rayo Vallecano.
According to Marca, Rodrygo is the leading candidate to fill the void on the left wing. The Brazilian forward has been eased back into action following an injury layoff in January, but Arbeloa now views him as the “ideal replacement” to provide the attacking spark missing in Vini’s absence.
Arbeloa’s Tactical Dilemma
While Rodrygo is the favorite, the coaching staff remains cautious about his match fitness. During training sessions at Valdebebas, Arbeloa has experimented with two other attacking setups:
- Arda Güler: Offering a more creative, playmaker-style approach from the wing.
- Gonzalo García: The academy starlet remains a “wildcard” option if the staff decides not to risk Rodrygo for the full 90 minutes.
A Hospital Ward at the Bernabéu
The suspension of Vini Jr. is only the tip of the iceberg for Los Blancos. The squad has been decimated by injuries following the bruising encounter with Rayo:
- Jude Bellingham: Ruled out with a fresh muscular injury.
- The Defensive Wall: Antonio Rüdiger, Éder Militão, and Ferland Mendy all remain sidelined.
With such a thin squad, Arbeloa may be forced to rely on academy graduates to fill the bench for the trip to the Mestalla/Bernabéu.
Match Details (UK Time)
- Fixture: Real Madrid vs Valencia
- Competition: La Liga
- Date: Saturday, Feb 7th, 2026 (TBC)
- Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
- Venue: Santiago Bernabéu
Real Madrid’s “Absence List”
| Player | Reason | Expected Return |
| Vinícius Júnior | Suspension | Next Match |
| Jude Bellingham | Injury | Late February |
| Antonio Rüdiger | Injury | March |
| Éder Militão | Injury | Mid-2026 |
Gabriel Lucio is a football analyst covering La Liga, focusing on match analysis, tactical trends, and the race for domestic and European positions.
