Arbeloa states Real Madrid supporters will back the team following UCL setback.
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa stated that he does not anticipate any negative reactions from the supporters as the team resumes LaLiga play on Sunday, following their exit from the Champions League top eight after another unsatisfactory loss.
Madrid suffered a 4-2 defeat against Benfica on Wednesday, with goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scoring a header in the 98th minute, causing them to drop to ninth in the UCL standings. This result means they will now have to compete in a playoff against the same team in February to secure a place in the round of 16.
The Bernabeu crowd had expressed their discontent earlier this month when the dismissal of Arbeloa’s predecessor, Xabi Alonso, was succeeded by their exit from the Copa del Rey. However, the team’s performance had shown signs of improvement prior to this recent disappointment.
“No, I expect the Bernabeu to support the team,” Arbeloa remarked in a press conference on Saturday before Madrid’s match against Rayo Vallecano, when questioned about the possibility of a negative reception. “We understand the importance of the fans. I always request their backing, as we are stronger together. Our goal is to secure a victory on Sunday and continue our pursuit in the league.”
During Arbeloa’s tenure thus far, Madrid has been eliminated from the Copa del Rey, followed by consecutive LaLiga victories against Levante and Villarreal, and then the loss to Benfica on Wednesday.
Key players Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham were vocal in their critique of that performance, with Bellingham describing it as “horrible” and Mbappé stating that the outcome was “not about quality or tactics, but desire.”
“We are focused on achieving the consistency we require,” Arbeloa mentioned on Saturday. “This is not a time for disappointment or excitement. It is a time for hard work, that is all… Regret leads nowhere. When things are not going well, improvement is necessary. That is my approach as a coach. I will undoubtedly make many mistakes.”
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Stars Vinícius Júnior and Bellingham were both met with whistles from the crowd during the Levante match, yet Arbeloa has consistently supported his key players to perform this season.
“I comprehend all the discussions surrounding football, but I always prefer to have the best players on the field,” he stated. “The more minutes they can accumulate, the better… They are players capable of changing the course of a game at any moment.
“Those who are not Madrid supporters may not want them there, but I believe Madrid fans desire their top players to be consistently available and on the pitch.”
Despite their challenges, Madrid enters the weekend just one point behind leaders Barcelona in the LaLiga standings, with Barça set to face Elche on Saturday.
