Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal has declared that his side have hit rock bottom, following a Copa del Rey upset at the hands of Albacete on Wednesday night. Twice Los Blancos came from behind, scoring from set-pieces, but conceded the winner in the last minute of the game to Jefte Betancour.
It makes it two costly defeats in the space of four days, with Xabi Alonso being dismissed between them. The first saw the Spanish Supercup head home from Saudi Arabia with rivals Barcelona, and most expected a reaction after Alvaro Arbeloa was appointed as his replacement. Real Madrid will now have to focus their efforts on La Liga and the Champions League, after exiting the Copa del Rey.
‘We’ve hit rock bottom’ – Dani Carvajal
After the game, it was left to Carvajal to speak to the media.
“We’ve hit rock bottom spectacularly. We have to face the music even when we lose, and that’s what we have to do now. We, the players, are ultimately responsible. There’s little more I can say,” he told Diario AS.
‘It’s time to be self-critical’ – Carvajal
Asked what it was that Real Madrid were missing in the match, Carvajal did not have a clear diagnosis.
“If I knew, we wouldn’t have lost. You don’t have to be a genius to figure that out. We’ve hit rock bottom; we were knocked out by a Segunda team. Congratulations [to them]. Starting tomorrow, it’s time for self-criticism. We have two fantastic competitions and we’re going to fight for everything.”
“The message is… that the team isn’t at its best, obviously; we have to work hard and we have to give much more. That’s the reality. And that’s the message. Go for it all. We apologise to the fans. We aren’t, myself included, living up to the expectations of this club, and we’ll give our all in the coming months to turn things around.”
Arbeloa takes responsibility for loss
While Carvajal noted that the players were not living up to expectations, Arbeloa said he was the first one responsible for their Copa del Rey exit. The new Real Madrid manager did point to the lack of physical condition of the players as an aggravating factor.
Dani, are you also an idiot? What the hell was that defense on third goal? You were not even ready to play. Yet the idiot coach substituted you to help lose the game. Plus, human body can give so much. Nothing will get better until after next season as long as Perez is gone and some players such as Vini Mini are gone. Start rebuilding the RM team now!!!!!
I THINK THE PRESIDENT HAS ALSO SOME FAULTS IN WHATS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.
ANSELOTI ASK FOR PLAYERS. XAVI ASK FOR NEW PLAYERS BUT FLORENTINO DID IT HIS WAY. THE BIG PROBLEM IS EMBAPPE. FOR ME THATS THE BIG PROBLEM STARTS.
THATS MY OPINIUN. START LOOKING THE PROBLEM OF THE PLAYERS..
I have said this before that no player is more important than Madrid. If they want to change their ego and help the team win match, they should be sold. There are upcoming talented players let go to the market and get for the team. It’s not about big names. It’s about grooming. We also a better coach.
How can Mbappe be the problem when he scores out of his favorite position and is still the highest scorer? Mbappe is their last problem. People like Fran is major problem. Every game he has started, RM has lost. Please check it out. Fran is not fit to be on RM first team