Arbeloa: Media Backlash in Spain

In three days, Real Madrid lost two titles and a coach. This is the summary that many Iberian media are making this Thursday morning, after the terrible 3-2 defeat in Albacete in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey. If this failure in the Spanish Super Cup against FC Barcelona hurt, it could have seemed more or less logical and predictable given the dynamics of the two teams. On the other hand, this humiliation inflicted by a team fighting to stay in the second division goes badly. Very bad even. And Arbeloa’s adventure on the Merengue bench starts in the worst possible way.

“I was convinced that the team fielded was the right one, and the bench was excellent. I have a very talented group, and it’s not easy for them to do everything I asked of them in one day with a new coach. I feel fully responsible. The important thing is to get back to work and get them back into top shape. Many players need to get back to their best physical level, and we need to work and prepare for Saturday’s match.”indicated Alvaro Arbeloa after the meeting.

The media don’t mince their words

And the former Spanish right-back is already being massacred by the press. First, many noticed that he had insisted, several times in a press conference, on the fact that the team was not up to par physically. Which was interpreted as a dig at Xabi Alonso, who is his friend. “To remember Xabi Alonso in relation to poor physical preparation is to be a bad colleague”for example launched Antonio Romero on the SER Chain. “It’s a low blow for Xabi Alonso, it’s very small to say that today”indicated journalist Edu Garcia on Zero Waveanother radio station that is widely listened to among our Iberian neighbors.

But above all, he was criticized for his choices. “Not very active, hieratic, while the clock and the opposing goals were sinking his team, he failed to change things with his changes. It was quite remarkable to bring in Camavinga, who was bad at the moment, as a full-back in place of Fran Garcia who had just avoided a goal”indicates for example AS. “Arbeloa’s press conference is a conference from someone who is not aware of what is happening in this club. 100% defeats. He was not good in his group choice, nor in his approach to the match, nor in the changes during the match. His changes are a central defender, Alaba, and a full-back, Camavinga”Anton Meana got carried away on the SER Chain. “You left Tchouameni and Bellingham at home, and you brought in Manu Angel and Palacios. The responsibility for leaving 400 million euros to Madrid lies with the coach”indicated his colleague Antonio Romero. Needless to say, it’s starting out very badly…