Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa faced the press on Saturday with raw emotion, addressing the turbulent week that has shaken the club ahead of Sunday's Clásico. After a reported locker room incident involving stars Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouameni, Arbeloa delivered a passionate plea for unity and forgiveness, urging fans and media alike to turn the page.

"I have two things to say," Arbeloa began, his voice steady. "First, I'm immensely proud of how the club handled this situation—with decisiveness, speed, and transparency. Second, the players acknowledged their mistake, expressed regret, and asked for forgiveness. That's enough for me. I won't burn them at the stake. They don't deserve it."

The former Real Madrid defender, now at the helm, drew on club legend Juanito to illustrate his point. "Juanito made mistakes too, didn't he? Yet we celebrate him for his passion, his fight, his understanding of what it means to wear this badge. Valverde and Tchouameni have shown me over four months—and years before that—that they know what it takes to be a Real Madrid player. They deserve the chance to keep fighting for this club."

Arbeloa was emphatic in defending his players' professionalism. "It's a lie that they've disrespected me or that they aren't committed. And it's an absolute lie that anyone isn't playing because of off-field issues or personal conflicts with me. I am the one primarily responsible for our season not meeting expectations. But I've been here four months, and I'm proud of how they've welcomed me, given where we were coming from. Frustration and anger can push you into situations you don't want, but now we move on."

With the Clásico looming, Arbeloa shifted focus to the pitch. "I'm expecting a great match against a formidable rival—a team performing exceptionally well. We're looking forward to playing the match that draws the most attention in the world. That's where our focus needs to be."

As Real Madrid prepares for one of football's biggest stages, the message from the coach is clear: mistakes happen, but loyalty and resilience define this squad. For fans wearing the iconic white jersey, Sunday's clash is a chance to rally behind a team ready to fight for redemption.