Blame me, says new boss Alvaro Arbeloa, as Real Madrid crash out of Copa del Rey
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Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa during the 3-2 loss to second-division Albacete in the Copa del Rey round of 16 at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte on Jan 14.
PHOTO: REUTERS
ALBACETE – New coach Alvaro Arbeloa said he was not afraid of failure, as he took the blame for Real Madrid’s stunning 3-2 loss to second-division Albacete in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Jan 14.
Arbeloa endured a nightmare start to his coaching career at Real after taking charge of the Spanish giants following Xabi Alonso’s departure on Jan 12.
The shock result capped a dismal week for the club, who also lost 3-2 to Barcelona in last weekend’s Spanish Super Cup final.
The 42-year-old Arbeloa inherits a side four points adrift of their arch-rivals Barcelona in La Liga and now out of the Copa del Rey.
Real’s goals came from Franco Mastantuono and Gonzalo Garcia, while Albacete scored via Javi Villar and a double from Jefte Betancor.
Speaking after the humbling result on a misty night in Albacete, the former Real defender took full responsibility for the defeat but insisted that brighter days lay ahead.
“At this club, (even) a draw is always bad, a tragedy. It’s painful, and I’m sure all our fans are hurting,” Arbeloa told reporters.
“I am responsible and to blame. As for the line-up and the substitutions, I can only thank the players. Now we have to recover for (the La Liga visit of Levante on) Saturday.”
Arbeloa’s decision to rest several first-team stars came under scrutiny, as Real struggled against an organised and determined Albacete side.
Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo were among the absentees, alongside Thibaut Courtois and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Despite the result, he doubled down on his choices.
“I don’t regret it. I was convinced that the squad I brought was the right one,” he asserted.
“The players we had formed a great team. I would make the same decision a thousand times over. It’s difficult for players to adapt to everything I’ve asked of them in just one day. We also have many players who need to recover physically.”
Real’s second consecutive loss in less than a week was a blow for Arbeloa, but the coach remained steadfast in his belief that failure is a stepping stone to success.
“I’m not afraid of failure,” he added. “I understand anyone who wants to describe this defeat as a failure.
“Failure is part of the road to success. It will make me better, and it will make us all better. I’ve endured defeats harder than this one. We’ll prepare for the next match with maximum dedication.
“With a new coach, players will need time to adjust to different ideas.” REUTERS, AFP
