Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal has issued a heartfelt apology to the club's fans following a shocking Copa del Rey exit. The team suffered a 3-2 defeat against second-division Albacete in the round of 16 on Wednesday. Carvajal described the loss as hitting "rock bottom" for the prestigious club.
Carvajal's Frank Admission
Speaking to the media after the match, Carvajal did not mince words. He acknowledged the team's poor performance and took personal responsibility. "Today we hit rock bottom," Carvajal stated bluntly. "We've been knocked out by a Segunda División team and congratulations to them."
The captain emphasized the need for immediate improvement. "From tomorrow, we have to be self-critical individually and collectively," he said. Carvajal stressed that the team must work harder to meet the high expectations associated with Real Madrid.
Apology to the Fans
Carvajal directly addressed the disappointed supporters. "We all have to give a lot more and that is the reality," he admitted. "We also apologise to the fans and we are not, myself first, at the level and expectations of this club."
He promised a turnaround in the coming months. "We promise to give our all in the games over the next few months so that the situation can be reversed," Carvajal declared. The captain entered the game during the second half but could not prevent the defeat.
Manager Arbeloa's First Game Ends in Disappointment
This match marked Álvaro Arbeloa's first game as Real Madrid's new manager. He replaced Xabi Alonso earlier this week. Arbeloa did not hold back his criticism after the loss. He pointed out that at a club of Real Madrid's stature, even a draw would be considered bad.
"Imagine a defeat like this, especially against a lower-division opponent," Arbeloa remarked. The defeat represents a significant setback for the new manager's tenure.
Match Details and Albacete's Triumph
Albacete scored the opening goal in the 42nd minute through Javier Villar. Franco Mastantuono equalized for Real Madrid just before halftime. Betancor secured the winning goal for Albacete in the 82nd minute.
This victory marks Albacete's first-ever win against Real Madrid. The second-division team currently sits 17th in their league standings. They had not won any of their previous five matches before this historic triumph.
Real Madrid's Broader Struggles
This Copa del Rey exit adds to Real Madrid's recent challenges. The team recently lost 3-2 to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. In LaLiga, they trail Barcelona by four points at the halfway mark.
Real Madrid also occupies seventh place in the Champions League group stage. The club faces an uphill battle to salvage their season across multiple competitions.
Carvajal remains hopeful despite the difficulties. "We still have time to turn the season around," he insisted. "We have two fantastic competitions to fight for." The captain's apology and call for improvement highlight the pressure on the team to perform better immediately.
