´I am the guilty one´ – Arbeloa takes full responsibility for stunning Real Madrid defeat

Alvaro Arbeloa took full responsibility for Real Madrid’s stunning Copa del Rey elimination by second-tier Albacete, though he is certain his humiliating debut defeat will make him a better coach.

Albacete, who are 17th in the second tier of Spanish football, advanced to the quarter-finals of the Copa with a famous 3-2 victory at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte.

Madrid twice came from behind to level, with Franco Mastantuono and Gonzalo Garcia cancelling out goals from Javi Villar and Jefte Betancor, but Albacete’s number 10 netted a dream second – which arrived four minutes into stoppage time – to send the hosts through.

Including Arbeloa, only two of Madrid’s last 10 coaches have lost their first game in charge (five wins, three draws), with Julen Lopetegui also going down to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup in 2018.

Arbeloa did not shy away from the magnitude of the loss, telling reporters: “Always, at this club, even a draw is bad – it’s a tragedy.

“It’s painful, and I’m sure all our fans are hurting. We knew the difficulties we would have; we saw it against Talavera [in the previous round].

“I am responsible for this, I am the guilty one.”