In the aftermath of a crushing 2-0 defeat to Barcelona that handed the Catalans the La Liga title, Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa faced the media with a mix of honesty and resolve. "There isn't much we can say; we understand the frustration and disappointment with this season," Arbeloa admitted, addressing the fans directly. "We need to look at what we've done wrong. Real Madrid have bounced back many times. We understand the anger—we're angry too."
The Clásico loss, which saw Barcelona seal the championship, was a bitter pill for Madridistas. Arbeloa didn't shy away from controversy, questioning the lack of VAR intervention on key moments. "From what we could see, it was clear. We should probably ask why VAR didn't intervene. Congratulations to Barça on the title; they took the lead very early on," he said, acknowledging the opponent's strength while hinting at officiating frustrations.
When pressed about injured star Jude Bellingham, Arbeloa offered a cautious update: "I don't know. We'll see how his injury progresses. I would have liked him to have been fit and to have played." The comment underscored the team's reliance on key players in a season marked by inconsistency.
Arbeloa's message to the fans was passionate and forward-looking: "We can't let these three games slip away. We're defending something bigger than ourselves or our prestige—we're defending this crest." He emphasized the uphill battle after Barcelona's early goal, noting, "It became an uphill battle too early on. They're very good once they take the lead. It's a well-drilled team. I asked them to give it their all until the end, regardless of the score."
Looking ahead, Arbeloa remained optimistic about the squad's potential. "We have a great squad that can be made to perform at a high level. We have players that any team in Europe would want; all that's left is to think about the future." He stressed the need for collective improvement: "That's not something for me to analyze. We need to collectively take a step forward. Have a clear vision, learn that we've dropped too many points in games we shouldn't have. You can lose to Barcelona—that can happen—but we dropped too many points in games we shouldn't have."
On a tactical note, Arbeloa explained a key lineup decision: "He wanted to play. But he was feeling weak, and it was my decision. We needed energy, so I decided to start Raúl in his place." As Real Madrid look to regroup, the focus now shifts to the final games of the season and a summer of reflection—and perhaps renewal—for the club.