Alvaro Arbeloa leaves entire press conference stunned with first comment on Valverde and Tchouameni fight

Real Madrid’s build-up to El Clasico has not been ideal, as there appears to be serious tension in the dressing room with several incidents being made public, the most notable being the altercation between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni.

The Uruguayan would end up hospitalised following an altercation with the French international, resulting in Valverde being diagnosed with cranioencephalic trauma.

It was reported that the injury was not caused by Tchouameni after Valverde slipped and hit his head on a table, while Valverde has denied that any punches were thrown.

This has not been the only talking point of the week coming out of Los Blancos’ dressing room, as it has also been reported that Arbeloa has lost several members of his squad.

It is likely that the 2010 World Cup winner will not be at the helm for next season; however, in his current role he has addressed the incidents that have occurred through the week.

During the press conference for El Clasico, Arbeloa was asked about whether he felt responsible for what had happened this week.

Real Madrid midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde pictured (Image: Getty)

He said: “I am responsible for everything that happens at Real Madrid.”

Arbeloa would also be asked to explain what was behind the incidents as they prepare to face their rivals at Camp Nou on Sunday.

He said: “I have two things to say. First, I'm very proud of the club's decisiveness, speed, and transparency. And second, that the players have acknowledged their mistake, expressed their regret, and apologised.

“That's enough for me. What I'm not going to do is publicly crucify them, because they don't deserve it. They've shown me what it means to be a Real Madrid player these past four months and years. They've demonstrated what it means to be a Real Madrid player, and I won't forget that.

"Valverde and Tchouameni deserve for us to move on, to give them a chance to keep fighting for this club. I'm very proud of them. I won't allow this to be used to question their professionalism: it's a lie that they aren't professional, that they've disrespected me... it's absolutely false. Just as it's a lie that some of them aren't playing because of problems with me; they should go live their lives outside of Real Madrid. I'm the one ultimately responsible for the fact that the season probably... no, definitely, won't be up to par. But I've been here four months and I'm very proud of my players.

"Of how they've welcomed me, of where we came from. And it's clear that frustration and anger can lead you to situations you don't want. But now, let's focus on the game. That's what we need to concentrate on now."

It would appear from the outside that the Real Madrid dressing room is in turmoil following these incidents; however, Arbeloa was quick to deny this in his press conference.

The Madrid manager said: “Of course it's a healthy dressing room. It's not easy to accept two seasons without a trophy, and as I always say, to be a Real Madrid player you have to be very ambitious. Of course, we have to do things better: change, reflect... but I see a healthy dressing room; I really mean it.

Tchouameni and Valverde had a training ground altercation (Image: Getty)

“One that's ready to win again. I'm sure that next year, everyone will have much more experience... because this one is much younger than the one I was in seven years ago. But I'm sure everyone will grow, and next year, knowing much better what this badge means, nothing in these four months makes me say that I'm not happy and proud of this dressing room.”

Los Blancos travel to Camp Nou to face Barcelona in a game in which they could see Hansi Flick’s side retain their grip on the La Liga title.

The German manager won the Spanish top flight in his first campaign last season, and he will be confident he can secure his second, especially with all the news that has come out of Madrid this week.