Topics: Real Madrid, Arsenal, Champions League, La Liga, Carlo Ancelotti
Real Madrid have had a dressing room 'crisis' just a day out from their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal, it has been claimed.
Carlo Ancelotti's side head into the first leg at the Emirates Stadium looking to further strengthen their defence of their European crown.
They defeated Manchester City in the play-off round, before a penalty shootout win over Atletico Madrid in the last 16.
Four Real players - Antonio Rudiger, Kylian Mbappe, Dani Ceballos and Vinicius Junior - risked potential suspensions over allegedly violating UEFA regulations relating to 'the basic rules of decent conduct' during post-match celebrations against Atletico.
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But Rudiger and Mbappe both escaped with a fine and a one-match suspension, the latter of which will not be applied as long as neither player commits a 'similar infraction' within the next 12 months.
Ceballos, meanwhile, only received a fine, while Vinicius was cleared of any wrongdoing.
However, a new issue has now developed just days out from the Arsenal clash.
Spanish outlet Marca report that the Real dressing room was left 'deeply shaken' after their 2-1 defeat to Valencia at the Bernabeu on Saturday.
Mouctar Diakhaby gave Valencia the lead in the first half, before Vinicius - who had missed a penalty at 0-0 - equalised on 50 minutes.
But Carlos Corberan's side stunned the Champions League holders with a 95th-minute winner to further strengthen Valencia's hopes of staying in La Liga.
For Real, they missed the chance to, at least temporarily, move to level on points with Barcelona at the top of the table.
Hansi Flick's side would later be held to a draw by a resurgent Real Betis to move four points clear.
Marca claim that Real manager Carlo Ancelotti had to 'speak out' in the dressing room and stated that 'nothing was lost, everything was still in reach and that once again, everything will depend on the desire they put into the pitch in the upcoming matches'.
Real will now look to record their first-ever win over Arsenal this week.
In the 2005/06 season, Los Blancos lost 1-0 to Arsene Wenger's side on aggregate at the last 16 stage of the Champions League, with those two meetings being the only competitive fixtures ever played between the two clubs.
