Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa took responsibility for the team's elimination from the Copa del Rey, after the team lost to second division team Albacete.
Arbeloa made his debut on the Real Madrid bench last night in a 3-2 defeat to Albacete in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.
The new coach left out stars Kylian Mbappe, Rodrigo, Jude Bellingham and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from the squad in order to rest them for Saturday's league match against Levante.
He fielded a rejuvenated team that he said was "capable of winning."
"If anyone is responsible and guilty for this outcome, it is clearly me, the one who made the decisions regarding the lineup, the style of play and the substitutions. I am not afraid of failure. I understand anyone who wants to describe this defeat as a failure," Arbeloa said, as reported by the BBC.
Albacete took the lead in the 42nd minute with a goal from Javi Villar, and Franco Mastantuono equalized in the third minute of first-half stoppage time.
Albacete took a new lead in the 82nd minute with a goal from Hefte Betancor, and Gonzalo Garcia equalized in the first minute of stoppage time.
Betancor brought the victory to Albacete, with his second goal of the game in the fourth minute of injury time.
"This will make me better, it will make us better. I've endured worse defeats than this. We will prepare for the next game with maximum determination," Arbeloa said.
He took over the team on Monday, after Real mutually terminated the contract with coach Xabi Alonso.
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