Arbeloa admits that Real Madrid can “play much better” after surprising defeat.

The surprising defeat of Real Madrid against Osasuna not only left fans perplexed but also prompted deep reflection within the team. Coach Álvaro Arbeloa, following the disastrous 2-1 result, did not hesitate to acknowledge that his team has the ability to “play much better.” This statement, echoing the frustration of many, highlights the constant pressure the Spanish giants face in the LaLiga title race.

At Estadio El Sadar, the match got off to a bad start for Los Blancos, with Ante Budimir scoring a penalty that put Osasuna in the lead. Hope seemed to rise when Vinícius Jr equalized in the 73rd minute, especially after Kylian Mbappé had a goal disallowed for offside just two minutes earlier. However, fate had a dramatic twist in store when Raul García, in a spectacular play, sealed the victory for Osasuna in the last minute, ensuring their first home win against Real Madrid in 15 years.

“It wasn’t a good game for us,” declared Arbeloa, reflecting on his team’s performance. He continued, “We can do much more, we can play much better. It’s not easy to play during the week and then on a Sunday, but these are the demands, this is Real Madrid. We knew how difficult it would be to come here.” His frankness reveals the tension and expectation that surround each match in LaLiga, especially when the points at stake are crucial for the leadership of the championship.

The defeat was costly, as Real Madrid lost the opportunity to pull five points clear of rival Barcelona. Now, the pressure is on the Catalans, who can overtake Arbeloa’s team in the standings with a win over Levante on Sunday. “No one wants to lose, of course,” admitted the coach, emphasizing the pain of the defeat. “But it will be a long season. There’s still a lot to play for. We have to keep working. We have a lot of room for improvement, and when we’re not at 100%, any team can beat us, we are aware of that.”

Real Madrid is now turning its attention to the second leg of the Champions League playoff against Benfica, taking place next Wednesday. The previous encounter, which saw Vinícius Jr score the only goal of the match, was marred by allegations of racist comments directed at the Brazilian, adding more tension to the already complicated atmosphere surrounding the team. Every game from now on will be crucial, not only for the league aspirations, but also for the team’s morale in such a volatile scenario.

The coming weeks promise to be decisive, and Arbeloa’s words resonate as a call to action: the true measure of Real Madrid will be demonstrated in their upcoming performances.