MADRID (AP) — Álvaro Arbeloa got off to a dismal start as Real Madrid’s new coach, with the team losing 3-2 to second-division club Albacete on Wednesday and being eliminated in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.
Jehute Betancor scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time, sending Albacete into the quarter-finals. Gonzalo García scored a goal in added time for Madrid, leveling the game at 2-2.
Madrid struggled from the start on Monday in the debut match for the club’s former B team manager Arbeloa. chosen He replaces Xabi Alonso, who has been in charge for a turbulent eight months.
“Even a draw is bad for this club, it’s a tragedy. Imagine a defeat like this, especially against a lower-ranked opponent,” Arbeloa said. “If anyone is to blame, it’s me, because I made the decisions about the line-up, the way we played, the substitutions. I have nothing but gratitude to the players who welcomed me and helped me recover physically and mentally.”
As expected, Arbeloa used some players from the B team, but drew criticism for resting a number of top stars, including Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Thibaut Courtois and Rodrigo. Vinicius Junior started but was largely ineffective as Madrid struggled to create scoring opportunities.
Arbeloa said, “I have no regrets” about his team selection.
“I knew this was the right team,” Arbeloa said. “We had a great team, both the starting lineup and the bench. We have a very talented team, but it’s not easy to do everything I asked for in one day under a new coach. Ultimately, I feel responsible.”
Veteran defender Dani Carvajal, who came on in the second half, said Madrid fans deserved an apology after his team’s performance.
“We haven’t had our best moments,” he said. “Everyone has to give more.”
Albacete is ranked 17th out of 22 teams in the second division. In all competitions, they have never won five games in a row.
The hosts took the lead in the 42nd minute with a header from a corner kick by Javier Villar, before Franco Mastantuono equalized from close range three minutes into first-half stoppage time. Betancor put Albacete ahead in the 82nd minute with a shot from inside the area after the Madrid defense failed to completely clear his cross into the box.
“This is the greatest thing in football, and it happened today,” Betancor said. “I’m very happy for the team. Everyone worked like crazy. I’m very, very happy.”
Madrid had just lost 3-2 to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia. They are four points behind Barcelona at the halfway point in the Spanish league and sit seventh in the Champions League. Madrid’s next match is at home against Levante in the Spanish league on Saturday.
Like Alonso, 42-year-old Arbeloa also played for Madrid for several years. He has been with the club for 20 years and has coached a number of youth teams.
As a player, Arbeloa helped Madrid win eight titles between 2009 and 2016, including two European Cups and one Spanish league title. He also helped Spain win the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.
Other results
In other matches between first-division clubs, Rayo Vallecano lost 2-0 to Alaves, while Real Betis won 2-1 at home to Elche.
Rajo played with 10 men for 69 minutes as Isi Parason was sent off. Betis came from behind against Elche, with Ezequiel Ávila scoring twice, including the winning goal in the 80th minute.
On Tuesday, Atlético Madrid defeated second division Deportivo La Coruña 1-0.
Barcelona will visit second division leaders Racing Santander on Thursday.
Round of 16 will be a single-elimination game.
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