Real Madrid were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by second division Albacete in Alvaro Arbeloa’s first game in charge.
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid defender rested Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo, Thibaut Courtois and Jude Bellingham before Saturday’s La Liga game against Levante.
Arbeloa defended his decision to rest the quartet and select academy players Jorge Cestero and David Jimenez, as he insisted he “brought a team capable of winning”.
“If anyone is responsible and to blame for this outcome, it’s clearly me – the one who made the decisions regarding the line-up, how we wanted to play, the substitutions,” said Arbeloa.
“I’m not afraid of failure. I understand anyone who wants to describe this defeat as a failure. Failure is part of the road to success.
“It will make me better, and it will make us all better. I’ve endured defeats harder than this one. We’ll prepare for the next match with maximum dedication.”
Albacete took the lead in the 42nd minute when defender Javi Villar headed Jose Lazo’s corner past Andriy Lunin.
Madrid responded in first-half stoppage time through Franco Mastantuono, but the hosts stunned Real late on.
Substitute Jefte Betancor struck twice in the final eight minutes, the second coming in the last minute of the match, either side of Gonzalo Garcia’s equaliser, to secure the Segunda side’s place in the quarter-finals of the competition with a first victory over the 15-time Champions League winners.
