Getty Images SportKylian Mbappe & Jude Bellingham left out Alvaro Arbeloa's first Real Madrid squad as new boss calls up five academy stars for Copa del Rey tie
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Protect 14 devices with the top ExpressVPN plan
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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's top-tier Express Pro plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
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Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers an unlimited private email relay plus an unlimited number of shared aliases and 20 custom domains, ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator, and ExpressAI, an AI assistant that offers 500 credits a day, six AI models, a web search facility plus 2GB storage.
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Over 28 monthsSave 67%
Protect 10 devices with high-speed VPN
Basic
Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's entry-level Basic plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
The VPN can be applied across 10 different devices simultaneously, and offers Lite Protection that blocks ads and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.
Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.
Over 28 monthsSave 80%
Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
Advanced
Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
The VPN can be applied across 12 different devices simultaneously, and offers Advanced Protection that blocks ads, trackers and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.
Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 100MB/month private email relay plus 50 shared aliases and a custom domain, and ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator.
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Getty Images SportArbeloa gambles with Bellingham and Courtois exclusions
The decision to leave Bellingham and Courtois out of the travelling party is the biggest talking point of Arbeloa’s first day on the job. With the team suffering from a plethora of injuries, the conventional wisdom would have been to keep the remaining superstars close, even if they were to start on the bench. However, Arbeloa has taken a different approach.
The injury list at the Santiago Bernabeu is currently extensive and alarming. Star forward Mbappe has been sidelined in the wake of the Spanish Super Cup final defeat at the weekend, having rushed back into the team prematurely in an effort to save Alonso's job. He joins a crowded treatment room that includes Rodrygo, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ferland Mendy. The absence of these defensive and offensive heavyweights makes the voluntary exclusion of Bellingham and Tchouameni even more striking.
Arbeloa is reportedly hopeful of recovering Mbappe, Rudiger and Rodrygo progressively over the next few weeks, but for now, he must navigate the fixture list without them. By resting his remaining healthy stars, he is sending a message that he believes the squad's depth, now bolstered by the academy, is sufficient to compete.
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Getty Images SportLunin confirmed as starter while defensive questions remain
With Courtois left in Madrid to rest, the goalkeeping situation for the Copa del Rey tie is resolved: Andriy Lunin will start between the sticks. The Ukrainian international has proved his worth on numerous occasions and will be the senior figure in a defensive unit that looks vastly different from the club’s gala XI.
The rest of the lineup remains a tactical puzzle. Arbeloa has travelled with three first-team centre-backs in David Alaba, Raul Asencio and Dean Huijsen, alongside full-backs Dani Carvajal and Fran Garcia. The question facing the rookie manager is whether to rely on this experienced core or to rotate further by introducing the likes of David Jimenez or Joan Martínez into the backline.
In midfield, the options are equally tight. Arbeloa has four first-team midfielders available, supplemented by three from the B-team. However, the attack is where the squad looks thinnest. Only three recognised forwards have made the list: Vinicius Junior, Gonzalo and Franco Mastantuono. Barring a tactical shift, it appears likely that this trio will lead the line, placing significant responsibility on Vinicius to guide his younger partners through the match.
The trip to Albacete is the first hurdle in what promises to be an emotional week for Arbeloa. His primary objective is to ensure Real Madrid remain alive in the Copa del Rey, a title that represents his first realistic shot at silverware as a manager. A victory is non-negotiable to avoid an early crisis.
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