Eliminated against second division teams
©IMAGO
Real Madrid made a real embarrassment in coach Alvaro Arbeloa’s debut in the Spanish Cup. In the first game after parting ways with Xabi Alonso, the Royals lost 2:3 (1:1) to second division club Albacete Balompié in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey. Without superstar Kylian Mbappé, the 20-time cup winner was disappointed throughout the entire season and lost to 17th place in the table. the LaLiga2 is not undeserved. Javi Villar (42nd minute) headed the outsider into the lead.
There was hardly any class difference throughout the entire season. Real created few chances to score, the hosts even had the better opportunities. After taking the lead, Real came back shortly before the break: 18-year-old Franco Mastantuono (45th + 3) was able to equalize for the weak guests.
Even after the break, Real were unable to dominate for a long time. The decision was made in a turbulent final phase. After the 2-1 by Albacete professional Jefté Betancor (82nd), it looked like a surprise again. But Gonzalo Garcia initially equalized for Real (90+1). Then came the second strike from Betancor (90th + 4): The 32-year-old caused a sensation with a shot into the far corner.
“A tragedy” for Arbeloa: Real’s restart ends in debacle
After the game, new coach Arbeloa buried his hands in his pockets and crept across the lawn with his head bowed. The restart for Real Madrid with the new coach after Alonso was fired ended in a sporting debacle. “A Real that is really shameful,” wrote the sports newspaper “Marca”. The “AS” read: “A disaster of this kind, which will go down in history, is certainly not a good start to a new era.”
Arbeloa took the blame afterwards: “At this club even a draw is bad, a tragedy,” he said. “If anyone is responsible, it’s me. I made the decision on the lineup, how we wanted to play, how we made substitutions. I can only thank the players for the way they welcomed me.” As expected, the former Real professional called up some players from the second row and did without several of his stars such as Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo.
Arbeloa had previously been responsible for the Madrilenians’ second team. After a good six months with the Royals, Alonso had to leave after too many uninspired performances from the team and the lost Supercopa final against FC Barcelona.