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New coach Alvaro Arbeloa said he was not afraid of failure as he took the blame for Real Madrid's stunning 3-2 defeat to second-division Albacete ‌in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on ‌Wednesday.Arbeloa endured a nightmare ‍start to his managerial career at Real after taking charge of the Spanish giants following ⁠Xabi Alonso's departure on Monday.The ⁠shock result capped a dismal week for the club, who also lost ‍3-2 to Barcelona in Sunday's Spanish Super Cup final.The 42-year-old Arbeloa inherits a side four points adrift of their arch-rivals Barcelona in LaLiga and now out of the Copa del Rey. Speaking after the humbling result at a misty Carlos Belmonte stadium, the former Real Madrid defender took full responsibility for the defeat but insisted ‌that brighter days lay ahead."At this club, a draw is always bad, a tragedy. It's painful, and I'm sure all our fans are hurting," Arbeloa ‍told reporters. "I am responsible and ⁠to blame. As ‌for the line-up and the substitutions, I can only thank the players. Now we have to recover for Saturday."Arbeloa's decision to rest several first-team stars came under scrutiny as Madrid struggled against an organised and determined Albacete side. Despite the result, Arbeloa doubled down on his choices. "I don't regret it. I was convinced that the squad I brought was the right one," he asserted."The players we had formed a great team. I would make the same decision a thousand times over. It's difficult ​for players to adapt to ‌everything I've asked of them in just one day. We also have many players who need ⁠to recover physically."Madrid's second consecutive loss in less than a week was a blow for Arbeloa, but the manager remained steadfast in his belief that failure is a stepping stone to success. "I'm not afraid of failure," he said."I understand anyone who wants to describe this defeat as a failure. ​Failure is part of the road to success. It will make me better, and it will make us all better. I've endured defeats harder than this one. We'll prepare for the next match with maximum dedication."He added that Real had a lot of room for improvement physically. "With a new manager, players will need time to adjust to different ideas," he said. "What happens on the pitch is ultimately my ⁠responsibility. We need clearer ideas in how we approach matches, particularly against teams that defend deep." 

New Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa insisted Tuesday he would be himself at the helm of the Spanish giants rather than trying to imitate Jose Mourinho.Arbeloa, who in his playing days at Madrid was an ally of his then coach Mourinho, has drawn comparisons to the Portuguese veteran for his approach to management.The 42-year-old former defender was appointed to replace Xabi Alonso on Monday after Real Madrid lost the Spanish Super Cup final against rivals Barcelona on Sunday."I have not spoken to Jose yet. For me it was a privilege and an honour to be coached by Jose Mourinho," Arbeloa told a news conference."I have a great relationship with him... and obviously he was someone who influenced me a lot, I carry him within me."(However) I am going to be Alvaro Arbeloa, because while it's true I am not afraid of failing, and have never been, I'm sure that if I tried to be Jose Mourinho, I would fail spectacularly."Mourinho, currently coaching Benfica, led Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning one La Liga title.During that era he battled against Pep Guardiola's dominant Barcelona when the fierce rivalry between the Catalans and Real Madrid was at its most bitter.Barca currently lead Madrid by four points at the top of La Liga and Arbeloa's job is to revert the situation, although his first match in charge is at Albacete in the Copa del Rey last 16 on Wednesday.Arbeloa, who was coaching Madrid's reserve side and previously working with the club's youth teams before he was promoted, said success is the most important thing for the record 15-time European champions."This club is winning, winning, and winning again. That demand on ourselves, showing the DNA of what brought us here, that has filled our trophy cabinets (is what I want)," continued Arbeloa."When I was a player I received those values from the players in the dressing room, and for me that is the most important thing... to be able to excite the fans we have all over the world and try to leave those cabinets even more full."That is my work, that is my obsession and what I will be living every day."Madrid did not announce how long Arbeloa's contract as first-team coach would be."What I can tell you is that I've been here for 20 years, at home, and I will be at Real Madrid as long as they want me here," added Arbeloa."This is my home, that's how I feel and that's how it will always be."No MbappeStriker Kylian Mbappe was absent as Arbeloa took charge of his first training session on Tuesday before the visit to face second-tier Albacete.Mbappe made his comeback from a knee sprain as a late substitute in the Spanish Super Cup final defeat by Barcelona on Sunday, but is likely to keep working on his recovery until next Tuesday's Champions League match against his former side Monaco.A Real Madrid source told AFP it was "logical" that Mbappe was absent from training, given his knee issue.Former coach Alonso had admitted it was a calculated risk to involve Madrid's top goalscorer in the match against Barca in Saudi Arabia.Arbeloa said he had a close relationship with Alonso, a former team-mate for Madrid and the Spanish national team."Everyone here knows the bond that connects me to him, the friendship that connects me to him, how much I value him, how much I love him, and I know that's mutual, has been mutual and will continue to be mutual," said Arbeloa.Alonso, replaced after less than eight months at the helm, said on social media he was leaving the club having done the best he could."Things didn't go as I would have liked," wrote the Basque coach on Instagram on Tuesday."Coaching Real Madrid was an honour and a responsibility. I'm grateful to the club, the players and above all the fans for their confidence and support."I leave respectfully, with gratitude, and the pride of having done the best I could." 

Real Madrid said that coach Xabi Alonso has left the Spanish giants by mutual consent, to be replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa. A day after the team lost the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona, the club parted ways with the Basque coach eight months after his arrival and immediately appointed former Madrid player Arbeloa, who was coaching the reserve side."Real Madrid announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to bring his tenure as first-team coach to an end," said the Los Blancos in a statement.In a separate statement Madrid then announced Arbeloa would take Alonso's place, without specifying the length of the 42-year-old's contract. "Arbeloa has been the coach of Castilla since June 2025 and has developed his entire coaching career in Real Madrid's academy since 2020," said Los Blancos.Arbeloa's first match at the helm is a Copa del Rey last-16 visit to face second-tier Albacete Wednesday. The Spaniard played 238 times for Madrid between 2009-2016, winning two Champions League titles and La Liga once, among other silverware.Arbeloa also lifted the World Cup with Spain in 2010, as well as the European Championship in 2008 and 2012, playing alongside Alonso for club and country. Alonso joined in June, replacing veteran Carlo Ancelotti, but Madrid struggled to find consistency under the Basque coach and are second in La Liga, four points behind Barcelona.Los Blancos were outplayed in a 3-2 defeat in Saudi Arabia on Sunday by Hansi Flick's side, the 44-year-old's last at the helm. Alonso was close to the sack towards the end of 2025 but a run of five consecutive wins kept him in his position, until the Super Cup defeat.Alonso had signed a three-season deal at the Bernabeu after leaving German side Bayer Leverkusen, with whom he won the Bundesliga in 2024. Real Madrid were thrashed 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in July in the Club World Cup semi-finals, which was an early setback for the coach.A 5-2 drubbing by Atletico Madrid in September was another blow for Alonso, although it was the team's only league defeat until December. Despite a Clasico win over Barcelona in October, it appeared president Florentino Perez had not fully warmed to Alonso, who had intended to bring a modern coaching approach to the team.While Ancelotti, who led Madrid to three Champions League wins across two spells in charge, was hailed for his man-management, Alonso was appointed for his tactical nous. Early on during his time in charge Alonso said the "rock'n'roll" was about to begin, but it never came, with few entertaining attacking displays, despite the superb output of French superstar Kylian Mbappe, La Liga's top scorer.Madrid struggled through a run of poor form amid an injury crisis, losing at home against Celta Vigo, and away at Liverpool in Europe, as well as drawing several domestic games. In that period many of the tactical ideas Alonso had tried to implement, including high pressing, faded away, amid reports some star players had fallen out with him.Brazilian wingers Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes dropped out of form, going several months without finding the net. Spanish media also said Alonso would be ousted if they failed to beat Manchester City in the Champions League in December.Madrid lost against Pep Guardiola's side but the performance enough of an improvement that Alonso was given more time to try and save his job. However, the defeat by Barca in Jeddah was the final straw for Madrid, who agreed a deal with Alonso for him to depart. 

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso faces mounting pressure ahead of today's Champions League group-stage meeting against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, but the Spaniard was confident the team could turn their poor form around.Sunday's 2-0 loss to Celta Vigo, in which Real were reduced to nine players after defenders Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras were sent off, left the club second in LaLiga with 36 points, four behind leaders Barcelona.Adding to Alonso's challenges, Madrid could be without as many as eight key players, including top-scorer Kylian Mbappe, who missed training on Tuesday with a muscle injury."Football can change quickly... for good or for bad," Alonso told a press conference Tuesday. "After the Celta match, we've already drawn our conclusions."Now it's just City in our minds. It's the Champions League, we're at the Bernabeu. It will be different because of the energy that's created. That's what's on our minds, what's ahead of us."Asked whether his job could be at risk if Real falter against City, Alonso remained defiant."When you coach Real Madrid, you have to be prepared for situations like this. We are a team, we are all united," he said."To reverse the disappointment, which is normal, all we're thinking about now is City."Mbappe's absence would be a significant blow for Alonso's team, with the Frenchman leading both the LaLiga and Champions League scoring charts this season.The 26-year-old joins an already packed injury list that includes Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy and Eduardo Camavinga.Wednesday's clash will be the 13th meeting between the clubs in the past decade, a rivalry that has intensified as Real and City combined to claim three of the last four Champions League titles.Real won the competition in 2022 and 2024, beating City en route to both titles, while the English side lifted their maiden Champions League trophy in 2023 after overcoming the Spanish club in the semi-finals that year.Despite a disappointing run in recent weeks, with two victories in their last seven matches across all competitions, Alonso remained optimistic."We're all in this together. United. Convinced that this is an opportunity. We need to have the energy to connect with the Bernabeu. If that happens, we have a chance to win," he said."In football, you have to adapt and learn. Some days are good, others are not," he added. "But we are making progress with every match. Good thing we have a challenge tomorrow. The best way to move forward is to face it. It's a challenge that we must rise to."Real are fifth in the Champions League standings on 12 points, three behind leaders Arsenal. City are ninth on 10 points, chasing a top-eight finish that would secure direct qualification to the last 16. 

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso praised Kylian Mbappe for his stellar form this season, as the French forward tops both the La Liga and Champions League scoring charts ahead of Wednesday's home clash with Juventus. Mbappe, 26, who joined Real from Paris St Germain last season, has scored 10 goals in nine LaLiga matches and five in two Champions League appearances, alongside three goals for the French national team this term. His form has helped Real make a strong start under Alonso, winning 10 of their 11 games across all competitions. The Spanish side lead LaLiga with 24 points, two ahead of Barcelona, and have secured maximum points in the Champions League. "It's not just the goals," Alonso told reporters. "His influence is almost as important in terms of his teammates following him with and without the ball. He's helping us. He's scored goals everywhere. The influence, as well as the goals, is what the team needs." Real face a struggling Juve side who have not won in more than a month and sit seventh in the Serie A standings, four points behind leaders AC Milan. However, Alonso warned against taking the Italians lightly. "We're on alert for Juve tomorrow. Any Italian team that's struggling can be dangerous. We must not forget history. Juve are a big club, both now and in the past. They have some very good players," he said. "It's a European classic. They have faced each other many times, and I’ve played in some of those games. We feel very prepared. We want our third Champions League victory and to get off to a great start. We need the stadium. People go to the Bernabeu wanting to see big games. We have to give them what they want so that they respond in kind." Courtois slams La Liga over plans for Barca-Villarreal Miami match Meanwhile, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has launched a scathing attack on LaLiga and its President Javier Tebas, criticising the decision to stage Barcelona's away match with Villarreal in Miami on December 20, saying it "distorts the competition”. The game, set to take place at the Hard Rock Stadium, would be the first La Liga fixture held outside Spain and the first European league match staged abroad. While European governing body UEFA reluctantly approved the plan, Real Madrid and other LaLiga teams' players have expressed their opposition, with Courtois leading the charge. Speaking at a press conference on the eve of Real’s Champions League clash with visiting Juventus, Courtois accused La Liga of bypassing clubs in the decision-making process and argued that the move undermines the principles of fairness in the home-and-away league format. "LaLiga does whatever it wants because it suits them,” Courtois said. "This decision distorts the competition. Playing at home is not the same as playing away. In LaLiga, playing away is very difficult, as we saw against Real Sociedad and Getafe. Villarreal away is tough. It’s not fair to change the rules mid-season without consulting us.” Courtois also contrasted La Liga’s plans with the NBA and NFL, who regularly play matches abroad. "The NBA has 82 games, and the NFL’s owners collectively approve these decisions. Here, La Liga acts unilaterally. It’s not the same,” he said. Over the weekend, La Liga players staged silent protests by standing motionless at kickoffs across all matches, symbolising their discontent. However, La Liga’s broadcasts ignored the protests in several games, showing a wide, aerial shot of the stadiums accompanied by a banner that read "Commitment to peace", which LaL iga has been using due to the war in Gaza, an attitude that prompted further criticism from Courtois. "Hiding the protests and trying to change the narrative is censorship and manipulation,” Courtois said. "I’m not surprised. (Tebas) behaves like no other sports executive I’ve ever seen. His actions on social media and in public speak volumes.” Real Madrid, who opposed the decision as early as August, have filed two complaints with Spain’s Sports Ministry, arguing that the move undermines the league’s competitive integrity. Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone also weighed in on the controversy, expressing his scepticism over the Miami fixture. "I won’t believe it until I see it,” he told reporters. "The home team loses the advantage. Their fans won’t be there, and they have to travel thousands of miles. We need to respect the fans.” La Liga has repeatedly defended its plan to stage matches abroad, stating that the proposal "does not distort competition or violate any rights of players, clubs or fans". However, with the match now scheduled for Miami, the stage is set for further tension between the league and its players.