Striker Kylian Mbappe was absent as Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa led his first training session on Tuesday since replacing Xabi Alonso.
Arbeloa was named on Monday, and his first game will be against Albacete in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, in which French forward Mbappe is unlikely to play.
Mbappe returned from a knee sprain as a late substitute in Barcelona’s Spanish Super Cup final defeat on Sunday, but he will most likely continue his recovery until next Tuesday’s Champions League encounter against his former club Monaco.
A Real Madrid insider told AFP that Mbappé’s absence from training was “logical” given his knee injury.
Former coach Alonso confessed it was a calculated risk to include Madrid’s leading scorers in the game versus Barcelona in Saudi Arabia.
Alonso, who was removed after less than eight months in charge, announced on social media that he was leaving the club after doing his best.
“Things didn’t go as I would have liked,” wrote the Basque coach on Instagram on Tuesday.
“Coaching Real Madrid was an honor and a responsibility. I’m grateful to the club, the players, and above all, the fans for their confidence and support.
“I leave respectfully, with gratitude, and the pride of having done the best I could.”
