MADRID, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - New Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said his shock debut Copa del Rey last 16 defeat at second-tier Albacete had to make the team better. Arbeloa replaced Xabi Alonso at the helm on Monday after Madrid were beaten by rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. "I'm not afraid of failure, I can understand that someone would want to call this defeat that," Arbeloa told reporters. Former Madrid and Liverpool defender Arbeloa, promoted from his role as reserve team coach, remembered he suffered similar cup knock-outs in his playing career. Real Madrid host Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday as they try to cut down Barcelona's four-point lead at the top of La Liga.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 15, 2026 03:25 UTC