Xabi Alonso explains Arda Güler being benched for Real Madrid’s trip to Athletic Club

Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has moved to play down the significance of Arda Güler being left on the bench for the club’s latest outing.

Los Blancos were of course back in action a short time ago, making the trip to Bilbao for a La Liga clash with Athletic Club.

En route to an eventual 3-0 triumph, however, the aforementioned Arda was forced to watch on from the bench.

Instead, Xabi Alonso opted for a midfield four of Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham.

Speaking to the media following the full-time whistle at San Mamés, the subject of Arda’s absence was in turn put to Real Madrid’s headmaster himself.

And Alonso was keen to play the situation down, in assuring:

“Arda on the bench? We have a lot of games. Tonight it was simply a technical decision for this game. It doesn’t mean anything.”

Conor Laird – GSFN