Albacete Shocker Leaves Real Madrid's Season in Tatters
Arbeloa's debut as Real Madrid manager ends in humiliating Copa del Rey exit to second-division Albacete, with the Bernabéu faithful now set to voice their displeasure.
Real Madrid’s crisis deepens as they crash out of the Copa del Rey to relegation-threatened second division side Albacete, losing their second trophy in just three days with new boss Arbeloa looking completely out of his depth.
Crisis? What Crisis? Oh, That One
Blimey, talk about a proper dog’s dinner. Real Madrid have gone from European champions to absolute shambles in the blink of an eye. The fog that covered the Carlos Belmonte stadium for the first 20 minutes was perhaps a blessing in disguise – at least it briefly hid the embarrassing performance that was unfolding.
Let’s get this straight: Albacete sit just one point above the relegation zone in Spain’s second tier and fielded their reserves. And they’ve just knocked out the mighty Real Madrid. Absolute scenes.
Players Down Tools… Again
If Arbeloa thought changing the gaffer would change the attitude, he’s had a right mare there. The players showed the same lack of effort that plagued Xabi Alonso’s final days:
- Vinicius was particularly poor – no dancing, no dribbling, nothing
- Valverde offered zilch in midfield
- Only Mastantuono’s goal saved him from complete disaster
- Güler’s set-pieces were one of few bright spots
The only visible difference was on the touchline – where Xabi’s agonized expression has been replaced by Arbeloa looking like he wanted to tear the dressing room apart. Yet curiously, he was all sweetness and light in the press conference, even thanking players for their “welcome” after one of the club’s worst disasters in years.
Jefté: The 32-Minute Hero
Albacete’s super-sub Jefté turned the game on its head with two goals in just 32 minutes of action. His 94th-minute winner was absolutely sublime, outpacing Carvajal before chipping Lunin. Not for nothing was he the top scorer in Greece last season.
Young Dani Bernabéu (yes, really) also ran Madrid ragged down the left flank. The 18-year-old academy product even won a foot race against Vinicius – something you don’t see every day, even with Vini in poor form.
Bernabéu Backlash Brewing
The team returns to the Bernabéu on Saturday, and it’s going to be proper naughty. The home crowd aren’t exactly known for their patience, and after watching their team lose two trophies in three days, the atmosphere will be toxic.
For poor Lunin, it’s particularly harsh. The Ukrainian keeper remains one of the few Madrid players performing well, but somehow always finds himself in the frame when the team gets eliminated.
Two trophies gone, a new manager already wounded, and any hopes of La Liga or Champions League glory looking like pie in the sky. Madrid’s season is going down the frog and toad, and fast.