Real Madrid fans within their rights to boo us: Arbeloa
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa stated that his team's supporters were justified in jeering both him and the players, just as they did on Saturday in the 2-0 La Liga triumph against Levante.
Arbeloa secured his initial win as Madrid's head coach, yet he, alongside key players Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, faced boos and whistles from the crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Arbeloa took over on Monday, succeeding Xabi Alonso following Madrid's defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final to Barcelona, their fierce competitors, and in his debut game, the side was eliminated from the Copa del Rey by lower division Albacete.
"We have just endured a tough week, and the supporters are completely entitled to express their frustration towards all the squad members, the entire team, and especially towards me as the primary figure," Arbeloa explained to the press.
"I believe the boos targeted the whole group, starting with me since I lead this squad and accept that when results falter, the criticism falls on my shoulders first."
Arbeloa noted that this level of passion from fans has contributed to Madrid's status as the most accomplished club in global football.
"I have always held the Bernabeu faithful in high regard; they have jeered me plenty in the past, and it is precisely this intensity that elevates this club to greatness, with the unwavering expectations from the supporters," remarked the 43-year-old Spaniard, who celebrated his birthday on Saturday.
"We are aware of the challenging week behind us, we recognise this as the premier club worldwide where the highest standards are demanded, and we understand precisely what the Bernabeu expects from us.
"We will always embrace that pressure positively, knowing we are capable of far greater achievements and that we must rise to Real Madrid's calibre; I have no complaints about our fans whatsoever."
'Proud' to coach Vinicius
The Brazilian forward Vinicius drew the strongest disapproval from the Real Madrid supporters.
Arbeloa affirmed his commitment to maximising the attacker's potential, considering the player's recent streak of 16 matches without a goal prior to his strike against Barcelona last Sunday.
"As the Real Madrid manager, it is evident to me that I will focus on unlocking the finest qualities in Vinicius, and I will urge his colleagues to involve him frequently, passing the ball his way whenever feasible," Arbeloa declared.
The 25-year-old joined Madrid in 2018 and has claimed two Champions League trophies along with three La Liga crowns, among various other honours.
"The accomplishments of Vinicius since he arrived as a young talent are rare in Real Madrid's storied history," the manager added.
"I feel immense pride in coaching him, and I will collaborate closely to draw out his peak performance, as he is set to deliver numerous titles for us, building on what he has already secured."
Arbeloa commended the team's resilience under scrutiny and highlighted their positive contributions this week, narrowing the deficit to La Liga frontrunners Barcelona to a single point.
"I fielded 11 courageous individuals on the pitch today, and throughout the week, it was akin to having 20, since even those not starting showed tremendous spirit and effort," the manager commented.
"Inside the locker room, we are confident in our progress; we will train diligently and compete fiercely for every prize."