Following the detrimental home loss to Getafe, Real Madrid’s head coach, Alvaro Arbeloa, acknowledged his culpability, yet insisted his team remains actively pursuing the La Liga title.
A magnificent goal by Martin Satriano handed the visiting side a memorable 1-0 triumph on an evening when the Bernabeu faithful vocally expressed their displeasure, jeering and booing the Real players and club management.
Presently, Real trails Barcelona by four points in the championship race. However, Arbeloa – who took over from Xabi Alonso in January – declared their resolve to fight on.
“With 36 points still available, our singular objective is to secure them,” Arbeloa stated.
“No one here is going to concede defeat. We believe this deficit is bridgeable. This is Real Madrid, and capitulation is not an option for anyone.”
“There were numerous opportunities where we felt we merited a goal. But football isn’t about what one deserves. We had a clear understanding of the type of game we were up against. And for me, that’s the crucial insight.”
“I acknowledge that circumstances appear quite grim; there’s little optimism when one suffers a loss like this. Nevertheless, we face a highly challenging fixture in Vigo. Yet, I will not reprimand my players’ exertion. Is this my accountability? Unquestionably, it is.”
“I am aware that if anyone is to blame for this setback, it is I, and I fully embrace that fact.”
This marked a second consecutive league defeat for Arbeloa, a detrimental outcome despite Real Madrid having triumphed in 18 of their last twenty LaLiga encounters at the Bernabéu.
The former Liverpool defender, despite his team advancing to the Champions League’s round of 16, is now under considerable scrutiny after securing victory in his initial five consecutive league fixtures.