Overview
- Second-tier Albacete beat Real Madrid 3-2 in the round of 16, with Jefté Betancor scoring in the 82nd minute and again at 90+4 to decide Arbeloa’s debut.
- Arbeloa took full responsibility for the lineup and result in his first post-match press conference and told a stunned dressing room to stick together ahead of facing Levante.
- Spanish outlets castigated his tactical approach and changes, highlighting choices such as resting key players and deploying Camavinga at left back during the late collapse.
- Cadena SER reported the hierarchy has begun sounding out potential replacements, though other reporting indicates he is set to continue for now and lead the team this weekend.
- LaLiga publicly condemned racist chants directed at Vinícius outside the stadium, an incident Courtois called “embarrassing” after sharing video of the abuse.