Few clubs expect calm waters all season long, but Real Madrid found themselves riding a wave of chaos this week.
What was supposed to be a fresh start after a managerial shake-up quickly turned into another painful chapter, as Madrid bowed out of the Copa del Rey in shocking fashion against second-division Albacete.
Life After Xabi Alonso Begins Poorly
The match marked Madrid’s first outing since Xabi Alonso’s abrupt dismissal on Monday.
His exit came just hours after a bruising 3-2 defeat to bitter rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, a loss that ultimately sealed his fate after only a few months in charge.
Stepping into the hot seat was former Madrid and Liverpool defender Álvaro Arbeloa, promoted swiftly from his role with the club’s B team.
Unfortunately for the new boss, his debut could hardly have gone worse.
Rotations, Big Names, and Early Warning Signs
Arbeloa chose to rotate his squad, but this was no throwaway lineup.
Stars such as Vinícius Júnior, Federico Valverde, and Dean Huijsen all started, signaling that Madrid were taking the tie seriously.
Still, it was Albacete who struck first.
Defender Javi Villar opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, sending the home crowd into belief mode.
Madrid responded just before halftime through Franco Mastantuono, restoring parity and seemingly regaining control.
Late Drama Leaves Madrid Stunned
The second half turned into a tense battle, and with eight minutes left on the clock, Jefte Betancor appeared to have written himself into club folklore by putting Albacete back in front.
Madrid thought they had escaped when in-form forward Gonzalo García leveled the score once again.
But the final twist came deep into stoppage time.
Jefte struck for a second time in the fourth added minute, sparking wild celebrations among Albacete’s players, staff, and fans—and leaving Arbeloa staring at a debut he would rather forget.
Bellingham Breaks His Silence Online
The upset arrived amid growing off-field noise at the Bernabéu.
Just a day earlier, Jude Bellingham had taken to social media to shut down rumors of a fallout with Alonso, delivering a fiery and unfiltered response.
Posting on his JB5 platform, the England midfielder blasted what he described as false narratives, accusing certain voices of spreading misinformation for attention and clicks.
His message made it clear that patience had run out and that not everything written about the dressing room could be trusted.
Mbappé Speaks with Respect Amid the Chaos
Kylian Mbappé was another central figure in the aftermath of Alonso’s exit.
The French star had faced criticism for allegedly defying his former manager’s instructions—most notably by not joining a guard of honor for Barcelona after the Super Cup final.
Still, Mbappé offered a warm public tribute.
Sharing a photo of himself embracing Alonso, he thanked the coach for his trust and guidance, praising his football knowledge and clear ideas.
Given Mbappé’s blistering form—29 goals and five assists in just 25 games—his appreciation came as little surprise.
Tensions That Had Been Brewing for Months
Reports from Spain suggest Alonso’s downfall had been brewing well before his dismissal.
According to MARCA, the former midfielder clashed with his players during a tense training session in November, accusing them of behaving like children.
That outburst was reportedly a moment of frustration, exhaustion, and disillusionment.
Alonso struggled to implement the high-intensity pressing style that had defined his success at Bayer Leverkusen, and the relationship with his squad was said to be near breaking point long before January arrived.
Interestingly, whispers about Arbeloa stepping up were already circulating in the dressing room weeks before Alonso officially departed.
Squad Management and Missed Options
Several key names were absent or rested for the Copa clash.
Thibaut Courtois and Eduardo Camavinga were among those given partial time off, while others continued recovery from injury.
Whether those decisions played a role in the upset will likely be debated for weeks.
What This Loss Means Going Forward
With the Copa del Rey now out of reach, Real Madrid’s focus narrows sharply.
Only LaLiga and the Champions League remain on the table this season.
Domestically, they trail Barcelona by four points in the league standings.
In Europe, Madrid sit seventh in the Champions League group with just two matches left, facing a real fight to reach the last 16 without being dragged into the playoffs.
What’s Next for Madrid?
Pressure is already mounting on Arbeloa, who has inherited a squad packed with talent but weighed down by tension and expectations.
Whether this shock exit becomes a turning point or the start of deeper troubles will depend on how quickly Madrid can steady themselves—and whether their new manager can restore belief before more silverware slips away.
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