- Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Mallorca on Saturday, which paved the way for La Liga leader to beat Atletico Madrid by the same score and open up a seven-point lead.
- Post-match, Arbeloa said that the defeat is “mine” and protected his players.
- In light of a fifth loss during his tenure, the Real Madrid board has decided that Arbeloa must win the Champions League to stay in the dugout.
Real Madrid has decided that Alvaro Arbeloa’s future in the dugout depends on how well he fares in the Champions League according to AS.
This conclusion has been reached after Saturday’s shock 2-1 defeat to Mallorca in Son Moix. Later in the evening, FC Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid by the same score to open up a seven-point gap at the top of the La Liga table.
Replacing a fired Xabi Alonso in January, Arbeloa slumped to a fifth loss in 18 matches which was also the amount that Alonso lost before being shown the exit door.
While Alonso’s last game in charge was the Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barca, Arbeloa’s first brought a humiliating 3-2 Copa del Rey exit to minnows Albacete.
His unwelcomed tally is completed by further upsets from Benfica, Osasuna and Getafe, meaning that the World Cup winner is now on the chopping block despite there being some signs of promise.
Things could have been different for Arbeloa at Real Madrid
Different to Alonso, who reportedly clashed with some big names thanks to his strict ways, Arbeloa is respected in the Bernabeu locker room.
He’s managed to stabilise the previously soured atmosphere with the likes of Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde now happy, and has been commended for promoting his former Castilla products such as Thiago Pitarch to the first team.
That being said, the board feel his in-game decisions have little impact on the matches Madrid lose. Had he done better in the league, this might not be the case. But Arbeloa is now singing for his supper on the continent.
How likely is Arbeloa to keep his Real Madrid manager’s job?
Though they are the 15-time kings of Europe, Madrid couldn’t have experienced a more difficult draw on the continent.
First up is a high-flying Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals, and beating the Germans grants a last four date with Paris Saint-Germain or Liverpool ahead of Atletico Madrid, FC Barcelona, Arsenal or Sporting CP in a potential final.
Yet Madrid often have Bayern’s number in this competition, as seen in epic semifinal wins over the last decade or so, with the same logic applying to Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool.
Barca have the better of Madrid over the last couple of seasons when everything is weighed up in terms of silverware, but a 2-1 Clasico win in October showed how Flick’s men can be roughhoused and put on the back foot.
And if it’s any stage where Madrid can shine and deliver the unexpected, it’s this one.
