Arbeloa took full responsibility for his disappointing debut and defended the locker room.
2026-01-15 09:12
For Álvaro Arbeloa, who had just taken over as manager of Real Madrid, his debut at the Carlos Belmonte Stadium was not a resounding success; instead, he suffered a defeat.
After being upset by Albacete in the Copa del Rey, Arbeloa took full responsibility in the post-match press conference, but also firmly defended his lineup choices and pointed out the tactical problems the team needed to address.
Despite external doubts about the starting lineup, Arbeloa displayed extreme stubbornness and confidence. He did not blame the loss on the rotated squad.
“I was convinced at the time that this lineup was the right one, and I still think so now,” Arbeloa said firmly. “If I had the chance to do it all over again, I would make the exact same choice, even a thousand times.”
Arbeloa emphasized that Real Madrid possesses an extraordinary squad, capable of defeating any team in the world, both in the starting lineup and on the bench. He believes that coaching such a group of exceptionally talented players is a privilege, and the responsibility for any defeat lies entirely with him as the decision-maker, not with the players' abilities.
Arbeloa spoke highly of the players' performance, stating, "I saw that the players wanted to win; they worked hard and tried to execute my requirements. I told them that I couldn't find fault with the way they greeted me yesterday and the attitude they showed today."
“I understand the Real Madrid fans and their demands on us, it’s for the badge and its history. We will all go to sleep with pain tonight, but we must get up tomorrow, go back to work, and prepare for Saturday’s game at the Bernabéu, in front of the fans.”
When asked about the problems exposed in the match, Arbeloa said: "We need to move the ball faster, not only to keep the opponent busy running left and right, but also to tear apart the defense with through balls behind the defense. The players also need more positional interchanges and a clearer attacking strategy."
Arbeloa hopes the team can recover from all the injuries they've suffered, that everyone can get back to health, and that they can rediscover the joy of playing football, so that the players can return to their highest level.
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