Real Madrid suffered a shock 3-2 defeat in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday as Alvaro Arbeloa’s debut as coach was humiliated by second-tier opposition.
Appointed on Monday Replace Xabi AlonsoJephte Betancourt’s stoppage-time winner sealed Arbeloa and his side’s relegation at the Carlos Belmonte Stadium.
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Without French superstar Kylian Mbappe and various other key players, Arbeloa’s side are struggling against a team currently ranked 17th in Spain’s second division.
Albacete took the lead through Javi Villar, but Franco Mastantuono equalized before half-time.
Jefta put the hosts ahead after 82 minutes and Gonzalo Garcia’s 91st-minute goal forced the 15-time European champions into extra time.
“Here at this club, a draw is already bad – it’s a tragedy. Imagine a defeat like that, it’s painful,” Arbeloa told reporters.
“I’m sure all our fans feel the same way. Even more so when it’s against a lower division team, we already know here how tough any opponent can be.
“If anyone is responsible and to blame for this result, obviously it’s me, who made the decisions about the lineup, how we want to play, the substitutions.
“The way the players welcomed me, I can only thank them for their hard work today.”
Alonso was replaced by reserve team coach Arbeloa by president Florentino Perez after Madrid lost to rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday.
The Spaniard selected two players he had captained until Monday in the reserves – midfielder Jorge Sestero and right-back David Jimenez.
Along with Mbappe, he rested players including goalkeepers Thibaut Courtois and Jude Bellingham before returning to La Liga on Saturday against Levante.
“I would do it again, I brought a team capable of winning,” Arbeloa said.
The first half was played mostly in abject depression, not just Madrid’s mood, but the thick fog that set in within minutes of the game.
Vinicius Junior fired high and wide from long range as neither side created clear-cut chances when the hosts took a shock lead shortly before half-time.
Villar drew Mastantuno’s attention at a corner and Albacete nodded in after 42 minutes.
Arbeloa’s side leveled before the breakthrough, also capitalizing on a corner, Mastantuono headed home from close range.
Jephthah’s double
Albacete frustrated Madrid after the break and breathed life into attack to take the lead once again.
Andriy Lunin pushed away an effort from Ricky, but shortly after, Jefta headed Alberto Gonzalez forward.
Gonzalo Garcia’s clearance fell to the striker in the box and he fell to the ground as the ball bounced and flashed past Lunin.
Madrid’s young forward made amends by pulling the team level in stoppage time with a header.
However, there was a sting to the story as Jefta produced a sensational performance past Lunin to secure Albacete’s first win against Real Madrid.
“I’m not afraid of failure; I can understand that someone wants to call this defeat,” Arbeloa added.
“Failure is on the way to success; to me they are not in the opposite direction.”
Madrid captain Dani Carvajal, who came on as a substitute and was unable to stop Jefte’s winner, said the players would work hard to reverse the club’s slump.
“We are not at our best moment, we have to work hard, we all have a lot to give, that is a reality,” Carvajal told reporters.
“We apologize to the fans. We were not up to the level of this club, first of all, and we will give our lives in the next games and months (to turn it around).”
Elsewhere, Real Betis beat Elche 2-1 and Alaves beat Rayo Vallecano 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals.
Holders Barcelona visit Second Division leaders Racing Santander on Thursday.