Arbeloa's Cup Baptism: Real Madrid's New Boss Takes the Hit as Vinícius Shines
15 January 2026
Arbeloa's Cup Baptism: A Tough Start and a Bright Spot
Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid's newly appointed head coach, accepts responsibility for the Copa del Rey elimination to Albacete, while praising Vinícius Júnior's contribution to the game.
Madrid appointed Arbeloa after their Super Cup defeat to their arch-rivals Barcelona on the previous Sunday. He begins his tenure with a 2-3 setback that sends Madrid out of the cup in the Round of 16.
In His Own Words
In the post-match press conference, Arbeloa underscored that at this club a draw is considered a bad result, and a loss to a lower-ranked opponent stings even more. If anyone bears responsibility, it is him: he decides the lineup, the approach, and the substitutions. He thanked the players for their warm reception, for their effort, and promised to rebuild them physically and mentally.
He stressed that he was convinced the chosen squad and the starting XI-plus-bench were strong, and he admitted it is not easy to implement all his ideas in a single day with a new coach. Nevertheless, he took full responsibility for the outcome.
Looking ahead, Arbeloa said work must begin immediately, with many players needing to return to their best physical condition as they prepare for Saturday's match.
Asked whether the loss counts as a failure, he replied that he does not fear failure. “Failure is part of the path to success,” he said. “This experience will make me better; there is a lot to improve, but I have faced tougher moments and I will return to Valdebebas tomorrow with renewed energy.”
Regarding Vinícius, Arbeloa said it was positive that the Brazilian decided to play the full match, showing willingness to dribble and help the team instead of hiding. “He will give us magical nights, and if Madrid are to win titles, they need the best version of Vinícius.”
He concluded that brighter days lie ahead and that the best version of Vinícius is still to come—the captain Madrid wants to see leading them forward.
There will be more chapters to write for Real Madrid: lessons learned, players recovered, and a refreshed plan for the rest of the season. The road is long, the spotlight is bright, and the journey continues.
Punchlines — 1) If football were a comedy, Arbeloa just opened the script with a dramatic twist and a punchy press conference. 2) Madrid fans know this: the season is a marathon, but the camera loves a good comeback story—popcorn is optional, but optimism isn’t.
