Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa and star striker Kylian Mbappé are united on one point ahead of Sunday’s LaLiga trip to Valencia: consistency is key.

“I’m not Gandalf the White,” Arbeloa joked after last weekend’s narrow 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano, which keeps Madrid one point behind leaders Barcelona. Unlike the fictional wizard, Arbeloa said, he cannot magically change the team’s fortunes — only hard work and commitment will do.

“What I want from my players is what I am seeing: commitment, attitude, mentality. To win every game, quality alone is not enough — consistency is what counts,” Arbeloa added, six games into his tenure. “We’ll work on performance, mentality, ambition, and attitude.”

Madrid’s inconsistency was underlined by a Champions League setback last week, as Benfica outplayed them in Lisbon, leaving Madrid facing a play-off round double-header against José Mourinho’s side once again.

“The problem is we aren’t consistent in our play,” Mbappé said after the defeat. “You can’t have one good day and another poor one — a champion team doesn’t do that.”

Mixed Results Under Arbeloa

Under Arbeloa, Madrid have experienced highs, including a 6-1 rout of Monaco and a comfortable win over Villarreal, but also lows, such as his debut Copa del Rey loss at second-tier Albacete.

That rare midweek break — due to Madrid’s absence from the cup quarter-finals — could give them an advantage against Valencia.

“In these free weeks, we try to work on the team and take it to where we want to be,” Arbeloa said.

Mbappé himself has been the model of consistency, leading scoring charts both domestically and in Europe with 37 goals in 30 games across all competitions. By contrast, other stars such as Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior have been inconsistent, delivering flashes of brilliance but struggling to maintain their form.

Neither Bellingham nor Vinícius will be available at Valencia, with Vinícius suspended and Bellingham sidelined for the next month. Arbeloa suggested this could allow him to field a more stable lineup, with playmaker Arda Güler hoping to rekindle his early-season chemistry with Mbappé.

Road Games Could Suit Madrid

Madrid began the season with strong, consistent performances, but their form dipped during the winter, exacerbated by Xabi Alonso’s departure in January. Playing away from the Santiago Bernabéu could benefit them, especially after jeers from home fans during recent league wins over Rayo and Levante.

“Every match is harder because opponents are motivated by facing the 15-time European champions,” Arbeloa said. “I’m sure Valencia will treat this as their ‘game of the year.’ To win, we will need a superb performance.”

By Sunday, Madrid could be four points behind Barcelona again, depending on the Catalans’ result at home against Mallorca.

Player to Watch: Lamine Yamal

Barcelona’s 18-year-old winger Lamine Yamal has returned to top form after a groin injury earlier this season. He will look to fire the champions to victory against Mallorca and extend their lead at the summit.