Copa del Rey – Round of 16 – A Proper Upset – Real Out Of Copa After One Game Under Arbeloa
Albacete 3 : 2 Real Madrid
- 1:0 Villar – 42’
- 1:1 Mastantuono – 45+3’
- 2:1 Betancor – 82’
- 2:2 García – 90+1’
- 3:2 Betancor – 90+4’
It is hard to say much about new coach Arbeloa’s Real Madrid from this match. Most players that started in the Super Cup final vs. Barcelona three days prior did not play. Also, most of the key players such as Courtois, Tchouameni, Carreras, Bellingham, Rodrygo and Mbappé did not start. Camavinga came off the bench while none of the regular starting strikers played.
First Half – Fog, Dead Balls and an Early Surprise Goal
Coach Arbeloa used a 4-3-3 system with Mastantuono – Vinícius Jr – García playing together up front. It quickly became apparent that Real Madrid were dangerous from dead-ball situations. Güler put a corner kick in perfectly, Valverde hit the first solid shot attempt, and the Turk got a great opportunity from a free kick… but instead hit the ball directly into the crowd. Classic.
For the first ten minutes of the match, Real Madrid could hardly get the ball inside Albacete’s box. Real dominated the game in terms of possession, 75%, but there was little penetration of the host team’s defense. The host team defended well — they had numbers and quality.
On the 12th minute of the match, Albacete’s Laso (who also was a Real youth player) entered the area alone but hit the ball as if he just wanted to get rid of it as soon as possible.
The crowd was lively, but Real Madrid still appeared tired after the Battle of Barcelona. The midfield trio of Valverde – Ceballos – Güler did not dominate. While they controlled the ball well, they created little danger. The fog that rolled onto the field for approximately half of the first half seemed to be more beneficial to Albacete than Real Madrid, which continued to lose sight of each other. Until long shots became the only threat before the break, Real Madrid were unable to penetrate Albacete’s defense. Then 42′ — Villar (yet another ex-Real academy product) out-jumped Mastantuono on a corner kick and headed the ball past Lunin. 1:0.
Coach Arbeloa appeared confused and could’ve lost to the minnows easily. But Real Madrid received set-piece luck once again. Hoy Sen won the first contact from the corner kick, and the rebound found its way to Mastantuono, who tapped the ball into the net. 1:1. Argentine repaid himself for his earlier mistake.
Albacete 3-2 Real Madrid – espn.com
Second Half – Pressure, Changes, Late Collapse
Real Madrid finally showed up after halftime. They pressured Albacete high, and the host team held on for dear life. Vinícius Jr. finally woke up, and it seemed he was enjoying his life without Alonso. Gonzalez reacted quickly — three substitutions within ten minutes of halftime. By sixty minutes of play, Real Madrid had as many shots as they had taken during the entire first half (six), but still little opportunities created.
Arbeloa brought experience (Alaba, Camavinga, Carvajal) and a fresh face in the form of 21-year-old Castilla attacking midfielder Palacios (eight goals and three assists in nineteen games this season). They played wide, made triangles, nice combinations… but striker Garcia was starving — the ball rarely reached him in the box.
Albacete hardly counter attacked… until disaster struck. 82′ substitute Betancor received a gift — García cleared a ball straight to him, low drive, Lunin powerless. 2:1. Disaster loomed large for Arbeloa.
Real Madrid sent all hands on deck — there were no forwards left anyway. Real went full attack mode, and the equalizer came 90+1′ via Garcia. Appeared to be heading for extra time… but no. 90+4′ Betancor chipped Lunin with class. 3:2. First-ever Albacete win over Real Madrid. What a night for them, what a nightmare for us.
