Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa appeared at a press conference following the team's elimination in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey, after losing 3-2 to hosts Albacete in the match held at Carlos Belmonte Stadium.

The coach said in his speech: "At this club, a draw is always considered a bad result, a tragedy; a loss is painful, and certainly all our fans feel the pain. We know how tough these matches are, and we saw that against Talavera. I am responsible and to blame, whether in the lineup or the substitutions. I can only thank the players and focus on recovery in preparation for Saturday's match."

He added, "I was convinced that the selected squad was appropriate; the available players formed a strong team. I have a large lineup of talented and standout players, and with only one day with a new coach, it's difficult to implement everything I asked of them. We have many players whom we need to bring back to their best physical condition."

He emphasized: "I said this at yesterday's conference. I am not afraid of failure, and I understand those who describe this defeat as a failure. Failure is part of the path to success. It will make me better, and it will make all of us better. I am not afraid of failure. I have failed many times in my life, with eliminations harsher than this. Now we must prepare for the next match with the utmost commitment."

He continued: "Loss is never a source of comfort. Our goal was not to lose today. We have a lot of room for physical improvement. That’s why Antonio is here, to give us an extra boost. We need that."

He explained: "I saw players who wanted to win. I can't blame them for anything. The way they welcomed me yesterday, and their behavior, was positive. We all know the weight of the responsibilities that come with this emblem. We are Madridistas, and everyone goes to bed feeling sad. Tomorrow, we must wake up and get back to work."

About Vinicius: "One of the positives today, after all the efforts and the long journey from Saudi Arabia, was that he wanted to play every minute. This is the Vinicius I want to see—the player who takes responsibility. There will be better days and less good days. This is the Vinicius I want. If Real Madrid wants to win, we need the best version of him."

He continued: "Any player at Real Madrid has a very high level of self-accountability. The demands are great. They were the first to want to take their share of responsibility. Tomorrow at 11 o'clock we will be at Valdebebas. This is a club with very high demands, but the big teams show their character in moments like these. We know what we want and what we will do, and we understand that time is not very much on our side."

He continued: "I do not regret leaving some players out in Madrid and not calling them up, and I will do the same again. I have a great squad, and it is a privilege to have the opportunity to coach them. I am fully convinced that the lineup was correct, and I would repeat the decision a thousand and one times."

Regarding the impact of this loss on the team and himself, he said: "I have lost many times. For me, what defines the path is the trophy cabinet, the titles. I am not here to inflate my resume, nor to be labeled as a better or worse coach."

Regarding losing two titles within 72 hours: "The president of Real Madrid doesn’t need an explanation of what’s happening; he knows more about these matters than I do. He knows the history of this club. We are a winning club. We have gone through painful defeats before, and here we always look forward."

He added, "I requested many things during my first day of training because a new coach brings new ideas. It is natural for me to ask for different things. This context must be understood. What happens on the field is the coach's responsibility. And when the team plays poorly, it means that I have not succeeded in conveying my ideas in the best way."

He concluded: "We will face many matches against teams that will defend on their home ground. We need greater clarity in our thinking, especially on a day that was not easy. Also, we need all the players to recover from the injuries the team has suffered and to return to enjoying playing once again."