The Spanish coach thanks his players despite the surprise loss in the Cup
Álvaro Arbeloa, the new Real Madrid coach, expressed his responsibility for the defeat against Albacete in the Copa del Rey, expressing his appreciation for the level shown by the team’s star “Vinicius Junior.”
Real Madrid had appointed “Arbeloa” as coach of the team to succeed “Xabi Alonso,” who suffered a loss in the Spanish Super Cup final against arch-rivals Barcelona last Sunday.
However, “Arbeloa’s” start with the royal team was not successful, as he lost his first match against Albacete 2-3 on Wednesday evening, thus bidding farewell to the King’s Cup competition from the round of 16.
“In this club, a draw is always a bad result, even a tragedy, so what about a defeat like this. It becomes more difficult when it comes against a lower-class opponent,” “Arbeloa” said in the press conference that followed the match.
He added: “If there is someone who bears responsibility, it is me, because I am the one who decides the formation, the way of playing, and the changes. I can only thank the players for the welcome they gave me, and for the effort they made, and we will work to restore them physically and mentally.”
“I was completely convinced that the selected list was appropriate, and that the team that I pushed onto the field and the bench included strong elements. I have a large group of talented players, and it is not easy for them, in just one day with a new coach, to implement everything I asked of them. So I take full responsibility,” “Arbeloa” added.
The coach continued: “The most important thing now is to start working, and restore the players, as we have a large number of them who need to return to their best physical levels, and we must work and prepare for Saturday’s match.”
In response to a question about whether the loss to Albacete is considered a failure, he said: “I am not afraid of failure. Whoever wants to describe this defeat as a failure, I understand him. Failure is part of the road to success, and for me they do not go in opposite directions. This experience will make me better. We have a lot to develop, but I am not afraid of failure; I have failed many times in my life, and I have gone through eliminations in the Cup that were tougher than this. However, tomorrow I will return with all enthusiasm to Valdebebas to work with my players.”
When asked about his opinion of “Vinicius’s” performance, “Arbeloa” answered: “For me, it was a positive thing that he decided to attend and play all the minutes despite the great effort he made last week. His willingness to play and help the team, to dribble and not hide, this is the Vinicius I want to see.”
He concluded his statements about the Brazilian star by saying: “There will be more brilliant days and others less so, but this is the Vini I want, the leader. Soon he will give us wonderful nights, and if Real Madrid wants to win titles, it needs the best version of Vinicius.”
