SOCCER: Arbeloa says Real Madrid must face fan anger after Barca seal title

BARCELONA — Alvaro Arbeloa offered no attempt to soften the disappointment surrounding Real Madrid’s turbulent season after their 2-0 defeat to FC Barcelona in El Clasico at Camp Nou, a result that officially handed Barcelona the LaLiga title.

The loss secured Barcelona’s 29th LaLiga championship with three matches still remaining and confirmed a trophyless campaign for Real Madrid, capping a difficult year that also saw former head coach Xabi Alonso dismissed midway through the season as the team struggled to maintain consistency.

“There isn’t much we can say; we understand their frustration, their disappointment, and just how dissatisfied they must be with this season,” Arbeloa said. “All we can do is work hard and look to the future, learn from everything we’ve got wrong this year.”

“Real Madrid always bounce back. We’ve fallen many times and gotten back up many times, but I understand the anger any Real Madrid fan might feel. We have to work to turn the situation around.”

Madrid’s season unraveled on multiple fronts, including a Champions League quarterfinal exit to Bayern Munich. Tensions within the squad also reportedly escalated earlier in the week when captain Federico Valverde was taken to hospital following an alleged locker-room altercation with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni.

Despite the title race already being decided, Arbeloa stressed that professionalism remained essential for the final stretch of the season.

“With even greater responsibility, knowing that our season is over, we cannot let ourselves down. Far from it, we have to go out there to win,” he said. “We are defending something greater than ourselves, which is the Real Madrid badge. We have to play three great matches and secure three great victories.”

Asked about whether the squad required a rebuild, Arbeloa defended the group but acknowledged improvements would be considered.

“We have a great squad; we can get a lot out of them,” he said. “It hasn’t been easy at all with everything that’s happened over the last few months—many key players out. The club will always look to improve, but we have a squad of very good players that any team in Europe would want.”

On his own future, Arbeloa said any discussions would come after the season concludes.

“As you know, we’ll likely have a conversation with the club,” he said. “What I want is for the team to finish the season strongly and for the players to get some playing time. As for the future, we’ll have to wait and see.” -Reporting by Fernando KallasEditing by Toby Davis/Reuters