Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa says fans were right to boo after a tough week, as he vows to get the best from jeered star Vinicius Junior
REAL Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said the club’s fans were right to jeer him and his team following a difficult period.
Arbeloa earned his first win as coach in a 2-0 La Liga victory over Levante, but he and stars Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham were booed by home supporters at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“We didn’t come from a good week and the fans are well within their rights to show their discontent with all the players, with the team, with me first of all,” Arbeloa told reporters.
The coach was appointed after Madrid lost the Spanish Super Cup final to Barcelona and was then knocked out of the Copa del Rey by second-tier Albacete.
Arbeloa said the fans’ high standards were what made Madrid great.
“I’ve always respected the Bernabeu (crowd), they whistled me a lot too, and it’s one of the aspects that make this club so great, the demand of the fans,” said the Spaniard.
Brazilian winger Vinicius was a particular target for the fans’ ire after a recent goal drought.
Arbeloa vowed to help the forward return to his best form.
“It’s clear for me as Madrid coach, I’ll work to get the best version of Vinicius,” said Arbeloa.
“What Vinicius has done since arriving here as a kid, few have done in the history of Real Madrid. I’m very proud to be his coach.”
The coach praised his players for securing the win under pressure, which cut the gap on league leaders Barcelona to one point.
“I had 11 brave players who were on the pitch,” said Arbeloa.
