Alvaro Arbeloa did not hold back in his post-match reaction as Real Madrid crashed out of the Champions League following defeat to Bayern Munich, pointing squarely at Eduardo Camavinga’s controversial sending-off as the turning point.
Speaking after the final whistle at the Allianz Arena, Arbeloa made it clear that the dismissal changed the entire trajectory of the tie.
“It’s an action that no one understands, sending off a player for something like that in a match like this,” he said.
“It’s clear that the tie was over at that moment, and it’s completely inexplicable and unfair.
“We’re very hurt because the tie slipped away from us in a way that was beyond our control, and I feel terrible for my players, for the effort they put in.”
As the dust settled, emotions ran high inside the Madrid camp, with the coach revealing the deep frustration and pain felt within the dressing room after the dramatic exit.
“The dressing room is hurting; there’s a feeling of injustice, anger, and pain at seeing how the effort, the sacrifice, and everything they’ve done on the field has been thrown away because of that referee’s decision.”
Despite the disappointment, Arbeloa was quick to salute his players and supporters, highlighting their commitment throughout the contest.
“I’m very proud of them, of the fans, of everyone who traveled, of those who are at home, and of the club.
“If this defeat hurts me for anything, it’s because we’re not going to win the Sixteenth this year, and above all, because of the way it happened.”
From a tactical standpoint, the Madrid boss stood firmly by his decisions, insisting his attacking approach was necessary against Bayern’s high-intensity system.
“I think I fielded the best team to win. We had to come here to win; I couldn’t come here to play it safe. I wanted to score goals.
“I knew that Bayern, given their style of play, wanted us to focus on defending, to be able to bring out players capable of overcoming their aggressive, man-to-man pressure.
“I would do it again, and I would field this team again.”
As the match wore on, Arbeloa admitted that missed chances also played a role, particularly during a tense second half where Madrid struggled to convert key opportunities.
“The truth is, in the second half, we knew we had to hold on, and those chances… well, it was bad luck not to convert them, because ultimately, in football, what matters is being as clinical as possible when you’re near the goalkeeper.”
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the referee’s decision continued to dominate the narrative, with Arbeloa questioning both the awareness and judgment behind the call.
“I think he showed him the card precisely because of that, because the Bayern players had to go and tell him it was his second.
“I think referees often either don’t play football or don’t understand how to handle these kinds of situations. But, beyond the fact that he didn’t know.
“I think it’s even worse that he didn’t realize that a player he showed a card to hadn’t been on the pitch for very long, because Camavinga came on in the second half. I think that’s a double mistake.”
Even in defeat, Arbeloa maintained a sense of accountability, while urging fans to recognise the effort displayed by his side on a challenging European night.
“I don’t know if anything positive can be taken right now. I believe, and I’ve always said this, that I’m responsible for the defeats, and I will always accept the consequences of a loss like this.
“The fans should be very proud of their players, of how they gave their all, their lives, and the character they showed.”
Looking ahead, Real Madrid must quickly regroup as they shift focus back to domestic duties, determined to finish the season strongly despite the bitter European exit.
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