Khaberni - After three consecutive victories, Real Madrid was shocked by a harsh loss to Portuguese Benfica which pushed them away from direct qualification to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, and they are now seeking a quick return to continue chasing the leading Barcelona in the Spanish Football League, although the draw for the 16th round play-offs put them in a new confrontation with "The Special One".
The disappointing start for the new coach, Álvaro Arbeloa, with a loss in the Spanish Cup, was followed by three consecutive victories that brought the capital team closer to their Catalan rival after the latter stumbled against Real Sociedad, which included six goals against French Monaco, before the shock against their former coach, Portuguese José Mourinho (2-4) in Lisbon.
This loss prevented Real Madrid from direct qualification to the last 16 of the Champions League for the second consecutive season, while Barcelona qualified from fifth place.
This fall came after Brazilian Vinicius Junior and English Jude Bellingham experienced the anger of the "Merengue" fans in a match against Albacete (second division) in the cup, although both were given a chance to redeem themselves later.
After sweeping Monaco, where Vinicius scored one goal and directly participated in three others, and Bellingham scored the sixth goal, the Brazilian raced to hug Arbeloa after his goal, thanking him for his public support, while Bellingham's celebration caused a lot of controversy in the Spanish press, appearing as if he was gesturing with his hands to drink, interpreted as a response to recent accusations of going out at night.
Arbeloa said after that match "I hope this to be a turning point", confirming his full confidence in Vinicius and supporting the potential extension of the Brazilian player's contract.
The coach of Real Madrid, who succeeded Xabi Alonso in mid-January, added "I am very calm regarding the critiques. I focus on my duty, on helping the players and bringing out the best in them".
