I Am Responsible For Real Madrid’s Defeat To Albacete – Arbeloa

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa has accepted responsibility for the team’s embarrassing 3-2 loss to second division side Albacete to crash out of the Copa del Rey.

The newly-appointed coach rested the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo, Thibaut Courtois, and Jude Bellingham for Saturday’s La Liga game against Levante.

He fielded academy stars Jorge Cestero and David Jimenez in the encounter.

Arbeloa defended his decision to rest the first team stars while accepting responsibility for the defeat.

He said: “If anyone is responsible and to blame for this outcome, it’s clearly me – the one who made the decisions regarding the line-up, how we wanted to play, the substitutions.

“I’m not afraid of failure. 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.”

Albacete took the lead in the 42nd minute through Javi Villar before Franco Mastantuono restored parity for Real Madrid.

Jefte Betancor scored twice to lead Albacete to the quarterfinals of the competition.

Arbeloa admitted that the defeat was painful while urging the players to move on ahead of the La Liga clash against Levante.

He said: “At this club, a draw is bad enough, a tragedy. Imagine a defeat like this. It’s painful and I’m sure that all the fans are hurt and even more so when you do it against a team from a lower tier.

“We know how difficult any team can make it and we saw it on the day against Talavera. From here on we have to improve. If anyone is responsible for this defeat, it’s me, as I’m the one who made the decisions regarding the line-up, how we wanted to play, the changes, etc.

“I can only thank the players for the welcome they’ve given me and the effort they’ve made today. I’m trying to get them back on their feet, both physically and mentally, obviously. We have to improve and go for Saturday’s game.”

Arbeloa became the first coach in Real Madrid’s history to be eliminated from the Copa del Rey in his first official game.

Meanwhile, Vini Jr. made his 350th appearance for Real Madrid in the encounter.

He has racked up 226 victories while winning 14 trophies: 2 Champions League titles, 3 Club World Cups, 2 Uefa Super Cups, 3 LaLiga titles, 1 Copa del Rey trophies and 3 Spanish Super Cups. He has scored 112 goals for the club.

I Am Responsible For Real Madrid’s Defeat To Albacete – Arbeloa is first published on The Whistler Newspaper