Madrid's midfield woes: 'We're envious of Pedri and Barrios' admits former club staffer
Ex-Real Madrid fitness coach San Martín laments the lack of a creative midfielder at the Bernabéu following fan backlash and Copa del Rey elimination.
Former Real Madrid staff and football experts believe the Bernabéu whistles weren’t just about the Copa del Rey exit - they reflect deeper frustrations with the club’s direction and player attitudes.
Bernabéu’s patience runs thin
The Santiago Bernabéu faithful made their feelings crystal clear after Madrid’s cup elimination, and according to José Luis San Martín, former physical trainer at the club, it was fully deserved.
“The Bernabéu doesn’t forgive lack of attitude,” San Martín stated bluntly during a discussion on Directo MARCA’s ‘El Corrillo’ program. The panel, including ex-footballer Jorge López Marco ‘Tote’, criticized Álvaro Arbeloa’s initial press conference response for dismissing legitimate fan concerns.
Mbappé steps up as dressing room voice
Amid the turbulence, Kylian Mbappé emerged as a voice of reason, defending teammate Vinicius and calling for collective responsibility rather than scapegoating individuals. The Frenchman suggested that if fans must whistle, they should direct it at the entire team, not just one player - a stance the analysts viewed as leadership during a difficult period.
Midfield envy
What’s particularly telling is San Martín’s admission of “envy” when watching players like Barcelona’s Pedri and Fermín López, or Atlético Madrid’s Barrios. He believes Madrid lacks precisely this type of creative midfielder who can dictate play - a deficiency that’s becoming increasingly apparent as the season progresses.
Beyond football problems
Tote suggested the discontent runs deeper than just on-pitch performances: “It’s not just a football issue, it’s the direction the club has been heading in recent years.”
Despite the apparent crisis, Los Blancos remain just one point behind Barcelona in La Liga, keeping title hopes alive. However, the panel agreed unanimously that without addressing attitude problems and reconnecting with fans, Madrid’s season ambitions could slip away.