Alvaro Arbeloa speaks after Real Madrid crash out of Copa del Rey: ‘A tragedy’ | OneFootball

Alvaro Arbeloa oversaw his first game as the new Real Madrid manager, as the men in white took on Albacete in the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.

Playing at the lower division team’s home venue, it was always going to be a risky outing for Real Madrid.

However, they shockingly collapsed and slipped to a 2-3 defeat and are now eliminated from the Spanish cup.

Speaking after his disastrous managerial debut for Real Madrid, Arbeloa admitted that the result was simply not good enough for the club and what they stand for.

“In this club, drawing is already bad, a tragedy. Imagine a defeat like this. It’s painful and I’m sure all the fans are hurt and even more when you do it with a team from a lower division,” he began.

“From here we have to improve,” he added.

Taking the blame for the defeat on himself, Arbeloa said,

“If anyone is responsible for this defeat, it is me, who is the one who has made the decisions regarding the lineup, how we wanted to play, and the changes.”

“I can only thank the players for the welcome they have given me and the effort they have made today.“

A painful defeat

Arbeloa did not have the best of starts. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

While the defeat is painful, the manager spoke about how failures serve as stepping stones to success.

“I said it yesterday. I’m not afraid of failure, and whoever wants to see it that way, I understand it perfectly.

“But if I have learned anything in life, it is that failure is on the path to success and not in opposite directions.”

“This defeat is going to make me improve, and it will make us all improve. A starting point in which we have a lot of improvement,” he added.

“[I will] return tomorrow to Valdebebas to work with my players and prepare for Saturday’s match with the utmost dedication and that things turn out much better than today,” he elaborated.

Arbeloa was then asked if losing could be a blessing in disguise for the team, especially in terms of having more time on their hands now.

“Losing at Real Madrid is never a relief and obviously has consequences that can be positive if we talk about the time to work, but it was not our goal to lose today here.”

“In the physical sense, we have a lot of room for improvement, and that’s what Antonio (Pintus) is for, to give us one more point.“

Defending the decisions

The manager then defended his substitutions on the night and stood strong that such changes are needed in games.

Arbeloa defended his substitutions. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

“I was convinced that the call was the right one, and I still think so. The team I took out and the players who were on the bench were great.”

“With just one day with the new coach, it is not easy for them to try to do everything I have asked of them, and I feel like the most responsible for this defeat,” he added.

“The most important thing now is to start working and recover them mentally and physically.“

Arbeloa was then asked if he saw enough from the players to feel positive about their attitude or if he desired more on the field, to which he said,

“I have seen players who have wanted to win and have made an effort and tried to do what I have asked them.

“I have told them that I can reproach them absolutely nothing for how they received me yesterday and the attitude they have had today.”

“I understand the Real Madrid fans and the demands they put on us. Tomorrow we have to get up, go back to work and prepare for Saturday’s game at the Bernabéu, in front of them.

“We still owe them many things. We have two titles ahead of us and a lot to fight for,” he added.

Expectations at Real Madrid

Speaking on the sky-high expectations at the club and how one copes with such pressure after a defeat like that last night, the new manager said,

Expectations from Arbeloa are very hiugh. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

“Any Real Madrid player is very self-demanding because if not, they would not be on this team.

“In the locker room, there was no one happy and they were the first to want to assume their share of responsibility.”

“This club is very demanding, but the great teams show themselves right now, in complicated situations, and it is when we must be most united and know what we want and when we want it,” he added.

Xabi Alonso’s replacement was then asked what he asked of his players ahead of his first game as the coach, to which he said,

“A lot of things. When a new coach arrives, he has new ideas and a different way of working, preparing games, and focusing on goals.

“You have to understand this context for them, and that is why I assume my share of total responsibility.”

“It’s the responsibility of my position. When the team plays badly, it is because I have not been able to do better, and I will assume it whenever it happens,” he added.

Room for improvement

Addressing the team’s need for improvement and areas where they can show progress to compete better, Arbeloa said

“We are going to find many games against teams that defend in their box.

“We have to have a higher speed, make the rivals run not only from side to side with the ball but also behind us.”

“In one day, it was not easy, but we must have speed to disarm any defence like the one we have met today and in any other game,” he added.

Redicovering Vinicius

Arbeloa then praised Vinicius Jr. for his attitude and leadership on the night.

Arbeloa praised Vinicius Jr. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

“He has been positive that after the great shift he had last weekend, he wanted to be here and play every minute. He wanted to help the team.”

“That’s the Vini Jr. that I want to see, the one who dares, who takes responsibility and who is unbalanced.

“He will have brighter days and others that are less, but I have seen him committed and that he is captain,” he added.

Speaking on the need for Vincius to rediscover his best form, he said,

“I am convinced that it will give us great nights and that if Real Madrid wants to win titles, we need its best version.”

Finally, he was asked how he would explain the defeat to Florentino Perez, to which he simply said,

“I don’t have to explain anything to the president because he knows a lot more than I do about this with the experience he has.”

“We are a winning club and we only look forward. We already think about the League and the Champions League, which are our maximum objectives. This must be left behind,” he added.

Source: Real Madrid website