Article by Romeo Ene – Published on Thursday, 29 January 2026, 07:54 / Updated on Thursday, 29 January 2026 07:54
Coach Alvaro Arbeloa (43 years old) admitted that the team did not reach the level required by the match and took responsibility for the result.
It is the second failure that he registers on the Madrid bench, after the shocking one with Albacete, score 2-3, in the Copa del Rey.
Alvaro Arbeloa, statements after Benfica – Real Madrid 4-2: “I assume and we are aware”
“We didn't reach our potential, we didn't respond to the demands of the opponent, the atmosphere and the stakes of the match. We didn't manage to play at our best level for 90 minutes. We are aware that we still have a lot of work to do. We must look ahead.
To win such matches, you have to do many things well during the 90 minutes”, said Arbeloa, according to sportal.bg.
His technician real madrid insisted that the match preparation was not reflected in the team's performance.
“I knew the level of the opponent and their coach. I told the players too. I couldn't get them to play at the level I wanted. Cwhen the team does not perform at such a level, the responsibility always belongs to me. I couldn't get them to approach the match the way I wanted“, he added.
In the play-offs, Real Madrid will meet Bodø/Glimt or face Jose Mourinho's Benfica again. A high-stakes duel for qualifying in the “eighties” follows.
For Real Madrid, the duel at home with Rayo Vallecano, the team of Romanian Andrei Rațiu, follows. The championship duel will be played on February 1, from 15:00.
The final classification in the main group of the Champions League
