Alvaro Arbeloa has taken responsibility for Real Madrid’s shock 3-2 defeat to Albacete as they exited the Copa Del Rey at the Round of 16 stage.
The 42-year-old was formerly in charge of the reserve team, but was upgraded to head coach of the first team earlier this week after the departure of Xabi Alonso.
He rested several first-team players ahead of his first game at the dugout, but was made to rue those decisions as they crashed out of the competition.
“At this club a draw is bad, a tragedy, so imagine a defeat like this”, Arbeloa said after the match.
“It’s painful, especially against a lower division team. … Obviously we have to improve.
“I’m responsible, I take the decisions: the team, how we want to play, the substitutions. We’ll try to recover our morale and physically, and improve for the game on Saturday [against Levante in LaLiga].”
The defeat comes just three days after their 3-2 defeat to rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah.
Javier Villar opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, but Franco Mastantuono equalized for Real Madrid in first half stoppage time.
Jefte Bentacor then put the home side back in front late in the game, but the 15-time European champions pulled level on terms in stoppage time through Goncalo Garcia.
Bentacor snatched the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time as the second division side sealed a shock victory to progress to the quarterfinals.
“I was convinced the squad was the right one, and I still think that,” Arbeloa said.
“We have an extraordinary squad, with great players. It isn’t easy for them to do everything I’ve asked of them after just one day [in the job]. We have a lot of players to get back to their best physical level.
“I don’t regret anything. I’d pick the same team again”, he concluded.
Arbeloa has a chance at redemption on Saturday when he takes charge of his first La Liga game in charge against Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
