Real Madrid’s boardroom buzzes with fresh tension as reports emerge of a heated disagreement between club president Florentino Pérez and the coaching staff over squad selection in the crucial Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Bayern Munich. According to sources close to the club, Pérez was left fuming after manager Carlo Ancelotti opted to start Ferland Mendy instead of promising young left-back Álvaro Carreras in the high-stakes clash.
The Real Madrid president, known for his hands-on approach, reportedly believed Carreras deserved more playing time, especially given the club’s significant investment in the Spanish defender during the summer transfer window. Pérez still views the 21-year-old as a cornerstone of the club’s long-term future and has been pushing for greater opportunities to develop him at the elite level.
However, the coaching staff defended their decision by pointing to tactical and performance-based reasoning. Mendy, despite battling fitness issues throughout the season, remains one of the squad’s most reliable defenders when fit. That reliability reportedly played a key role in the decision to start the Frenchman against the German giants. Additionally, Carreras’ difficult first-leg performance against Bayern’s Michael Olise raised concerns among the coaching staff, further complicating his case for the second leg.
But the drama doesn’t end there. In recent days, the young defender has come under increasing scrutiny for reasons beyond his on-pitch performances. Multiple reports suggest that members of the coaching staff are not entirely satisfied with Carreras’ attitude and behavior around the squad. There are even claims that Castilla coach Álvaro Arbeloa has excluded the defender from the starting lineup on multiple occasions this season due to concerns over his mentality.
The situation reached a boiling point following Real Madrid’s recent La Liga match against Espanyol, where Carreras was once again left out of the starting XI. As the club navigates a demanding season, this internal rift highlights the delicate balance between investing in youth and prioritizing results at the highest level. For now, the spotlight remains firmly on how Ancelotti and Pérez will manage the growing tension—and whether Carreras can win back the trust of both the president and the coaching staff.