Arbeloa makes history at Real Madrid with stunning Champions League achievement | OneFootball

Alvaro Arbeloa may still be finding his feet as Real Madrid manager, but there is already no denying the mark he is beginning to leave.

The Spaniard’s tenure has not been without turbulence. A difficult run of results earlier in the campaign raised questions about his ability to handle the job at the highest level. 

However, recent performances have shifted the story, with convincing victories over Manchester City and Elche restoring belief around the team.

Now, apart from the results, Arbeloa has achieved something far more remarkable.

What’s the story?

According to AS, during the current Champions League campaign, the Real Madrid boss has entered an exclusive club by defeating both Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola in the same season.

The journey began earlier in the competition when Madrid were forced into a playoff tie against Mourinho’s Benfica. 

Arbeloa has made history with Real Madrid. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Arbeloa’s side produced a controlled performance, securing a 3-1 aggregate win to progress without major complications.

In the Round of 16 first leg, Madrid faced Guardiola’s Manchester City. Yet, in a result few predicted, Los Blancos secured a stunning 3-0 victory, putting themselves firmly in control of the tie.

With those two results combined, Arbeloa became only the third manager in history to achieve this rare milestone and the first Real Madrid manager to do so.

Who were the others?

Before him, only Kasper Hjulmand and Raphael Wicky had managed to defeat both Mourinho and Guardiola in the same Champions League campaign.

Hjulmand accomplished the feat with Bayer Leverkusen this season, recording away wins against both Benfica and Manchester City. 

Meanwhile, Wicky achieved it with Basel during the 2017–18 campaign, famously beating Mourinho’s Manchester United and later securing a memorable victory over City, even if it was not enough to progress.