JAKARTA - Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa said he did not expect fans to voice their disapproval when the team was on a negative trend.
After Arbeloa took over the seat left by Xabi Alonso, Los Blancos got worse. They immediately lost to Albacete (Segunda Division) in the 16th round of the Copa del Rey in the coach's debut.
However, Arbeloa was able to convince by giving three consecutive victories, 2-0 over Levante (LaLiga), beating AS Monaco 6-1 in the Champions League, and silencing Villarreal 2-0 in the league.
Ahead of the match against Benfica last week in the Champions League, fans began to be optimistic that Real Madrid would return to a positive trend.
They are also in high spirits to secure an automatic ticket to the last 16 of the Champions League in the last match of the group stage.
However, reality says otherwise. Through a dramatic battle, Real Madrid lost 2-4 at the Estadio da Luz. Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a header in the 98th minute that made Los Blancos slip to ninth place in the Champions League standings.
They failed to maintain the top eight position to qualify automatically for the knockout phase and had to undergo two playoff matches - interestingly, Real Madrid will meet Benfica again - to fight for a ticket to the 16th round.
The defeat also saw fans continue to boo the club - which started with the sacking of Xabi Alonso followed by their exit from the Copa del Rey.
However, Arbeloa believes that supporters will still support the team, especially for the Champions League playoff against Benfica which will be a revenge match.
"No, I hope the Bernabeu will support the team. We know we need the fans. I always ask for their support because together we are stronger."
"Our goal is to win (in the Champions League) and continue to fight for the league," Arbeloa said.
Arbeloa's leadership has so far seen Real Madrid knocked out of the Copa del Rey, followed by two consecutive wins in LaLiga against Levante and Villarreal, a victory over AS Monaco, and then a defeat against Benfica in the Champions League.
Star players Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham were blunt in their assessment of the performance against Benfica. Bellingham called the performance "horrible" and Mbappe said the result was not about quality or tactics, but desire.
"We are trying to find the consistency we need. This is not the time for disappointment or euphoria. It's time to work, that's all."
"Regret is a dead end. When things don't go well, you have to improve yourself. That's my way as a coach. Of course, I'll make a lot of mistakes," said Arbeloa.
Meanwhile, star players Vinicius Junior and Bellingham both received boos from the crowd during the match against Levante, but Arbeloa repeatedly backed his key players to deliver the best results of the season.
"I understand all the football debates, but I always want to have the best players on the pitch. The more minutes they get, the better."
"They are players who can change the course of the game at any time. People who are not Real Madrid supporters may not want them there."
"However, I imagine Real Madrid fans want their best players always available and on the pitch," said Arbeloa.
Despite the difficulties they are experiencing, Real Madrid start Sunday, February 1, 2026, against Rayo Vallecano just one point behind leaders Barcelona in LaLiga.
The dramatic last-minute victory with a score of 2-1 over Rayo did not change the point difference until the 22nd week was completed. The reason is, Barcelona also managed to win 3-1 over Elche on the same day.
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