No penalty, no victory? Real Madrid in meltdown on Bernabeu
Real Madrid’s surprise loss at the Santiago Bernabeu on Monday has set off alarm bells in the Spanish press and big questionsmark towards Álvaro Arbeloa
Getafe’s win marked their first victory at the Bernabeu in 18 years, a result that left home supporters stunned and raised fresh doubts about Madrid’s title credentials. According to TV2 Sport, citing spanish media outlets, the defeat signaled that “alarm bells are ringing” around the club as frustration grows among fans.
The setback also carries immediate consequences. Franco Mastantuono was sent off with a straight red card, while Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras collected bookings that rule them out of Friday’s La Liga fixture against Celta Vigo through suspension.
Spanish media turn up the heat
The criticism was widespread across Madrid-based and Catalan outlets alike. According to Marca, cited by TV2 Sport, the night represented a “nightmare for Real Madrid and coach Arbeloa,” highlighting the growing pressure on the former defender who took charge earlier this year.
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Sport went further, writing that the loss had pushed the team back into “crisis” territory and reignited tensions with supporters. The newspaper argued that responsibility stretches from club president to players, reflecting what it described as deepening unrest.
Speaking on Danish broadcaster TV 2 Sport, football analyst Andreas Laudrup called the result historic given Getafe’s long wait for a win at the stadium. He said the scale of Madrid’s current problems appears “colossal” and questioned how Arbeloa intends to correct course.
Title race slipping from Madrid’s grasp
With 12 matches remaining, Real Madrid trail Barcelona by four points in the La Liga standings. A Clasico meeting at Camp Nou in mid-May could prove decisive, but even a victory there may not be enough if Barcelona maintain their consistency.
“There are still 36 points to play for, and we have no other objective than to fight for those 36 points,” Arbeloa told Real Madrid’s official website. He insisted that no one in the dressing room is giving up on the championship despite the mounting criticism.
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Arbeloa was promoted from Real Madrid’s youth setup in January after Xabi Alonso was dismissed following roughly six months in charge. Since then, performances have fluctuated, and patience appears to be thinning among both fans and sections of the Spanish media.
Sources: TV 2 Sport
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