ALVARO ARBELOA FUMES AT REAL MADRID PLAYER AFTER GETAFE LOSS - 'IT’S UNACCEPTABLE'

Alvaro Arbeloa fumes at Real Madrid player after Getafe loss – ‘It’s unacceptable’

Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa defended his side’s performance against Getafe after their 1-0 defeat on Monday night, and while he admitted that his side can play better, felt they had done enough to win the game. On the other hand, he also had some stinging words for Franco Mastantuono.

The defeat means that the gap to Barcelona at the summit of La Liga remains at four points, a gap that in theory Los Blancos could overhaul. Yet many Madridistas were left wondering whether overhauling their most bitter rivals was possible given the way their side is playing. Arbeloa was clear that the title was still in play.

“No, now we have no other objective than to win the 36 points that remain at stake. This is Real Madrid and nobody gives up here. It’s a gap that we think we can close.”

Arbeloa: ‘We had clearer chances than Getafe’

Despite the feeling that Getafe had carried out their gameplan to perfection, as Jose Bordalas noted, Arbeloa believed his side had done enough for the three points.

“We had clearer chances than Getafe. We had Vinicius’s chance, Rudiger’s chance, Rodrygo’s chance… We knew the kind of game we were going to play. Nothing happened that we didn’t know was going to happen, and that’s how I see the game.”

“Saying that ‘it’s impossible for us to play well, that’s putting words in my mouth that I have not said. It’s true that we had chances to score; it’s also true that we can play better. I can’t fault my players for their effort. The responsibility for improving our play is mine. If anyone is responsible for the defeat, it’s me.”

Arbeloa also had criticism for the officiating, despite Antonio Rudiger escaping a red card.

Image via Sport / Europa Press

“Today we struggled against an opponent that defended very well. We needed to be more aggressive in certain situations. We always tend to rely on Vinicius for the easy option, but we need to be a constant threat on both flanks. There were also many interruptions. The referee allowed a game where the focus was on not playing. But I have no criticism of Getafe because they do what they’re allowed to do.”

Arbeloa angry with Mastanuono for sending off

Late on, Mastantuono was sent off for dissent, meaning he will be absent for Real Madrid’s trip to face Celta Vigo on Friday. Bookings for Alvaro Carreras and Dean Huijsen will also keep them out of the trip, but Arbeloa felt Mastantuono’s was avoidable.

“It’s unacceptable. The Mastantuono thing cannot happen. Huijsen and Carreras’ yellow cards are part of the game. But we’re going to have three very important players out in Vigo.”

Arguments for improvement

Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Arbeloa had the following reasons for optimism.

“We have great players, others who are going to recover, and we have that objective of continuing to improve and that we can do better. I understand the criticism and the perspective that exists, but we played a good enough game to beat Getafe. We didn’t know how to take advantage of the chances we had.”

Los Blancos face Celta Vigo at 21:00 CEST at Balaidos this Friday, with a second chance to reduce the gap to Barcelona to one point, ahead of the Catalans facing Athletic Club. Following that, Real Madrid will take on Manchester City in the Champions League Round of 16.

- Ruairidh Barlow

LA LIGA: BARCELONA SUFFER ANOTHER BLOW IN THE TITLE RACE AFTER 1-1 DRAW AGAINST GETAFE

Barcelona suffered yet another setback in the La Liga title race on Saturday after they were held to a 1- draw at Getafe. Jules Kounde’s opening goal in the ninth minute was cancelled by Mauro Arambarri’s strike in the 34th minute.

Barcelona played out a 1-1 draw against Getafe in the La Liga on Saturday. Reuters

Barcelona could only muster a 1-1 draw at Getafe on Saturday in La Liga as they were unable to recover ground on the top two in the Spanish title race. Jules Kounde sent the visitors ahead early on but Mauro Arambarri levelled for Getafe in the first half and Barcelona could not break down Jose Bordalas’ well-drilled side.

The draw leaves the third-place Catalans five points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who lost 1-0 at Leganes earlier in the day, but Hansi Flick’s side could not take advantage.

- Agence France-Presse

MADRID'S ANCELOTTI: MBAPPÉ CEDING PENALTY 'ACT OF ALTRUISM'

Kylian Mbappe reacts after missing a penalty for Real Madrid against Liverpool in the Champions League. Getty Images

Carlo Ancelotti has backed Kylian Mbappé for not taking a penalty kick for Real Madrid against Getafe on Sunday -- allowing Jude Bellingham to score instead -- calling the decision "a great act of altruism."

Mbappé was under pressure to find the net at the Bernabéu after managing just two goals in his nine previous games, and missing a spot kick against Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League four days earlier.

When Madrid were awarded a penalty in the 30th minute, Mbappé turned down the opportunity, signalling that Bellingham -- who is Madrid's other regular taker, alongside the injured Vinícius Júnior -- should take it instead.

Bellingham converted to open the scoring, and then Mbappé added a second eight minutes later to complete a 2-0 victory.

"Bellingham or Mbappé, one of the two, whoever's in best condition," Ancelotti said in a news conference on Tuesday, when asked who'd step up if Madrid get a penalty away at Athletic Club the next day.

"This isn't a debate. There are two sides to it. [What] Mbappé [did] against Getafe, you might see it as insecurity, or you might see it as we do, an act of responsibility and altruism... He's a player with extraordinary talent, he might be the biggest talent in football, and he puts that [at the service of] the team. I value that a lot, personally."

Mbappé's performances have been scrutinised in recent weeks, although he's still managed eight goals in 13 LaLiga games so far this season.

Ancelotti denied one journalist's suggestion that his unwillingness to take a penalty against Getafe showed a lack of leadership or courage.

"I don't see it like that," Ancelotti said. "It's important for the team, his teammates, all of us, within the dressing room. We value it as I said before, a great act of altruism. When a great talent is altruistic, you're on the right track."

Bellingham also faced some criticism for an early-season goal drought, but the England star has now scored in his last three LaLiga games against Osasuna, Leganés and Getafe.

"A better dynamic in the team has allowed [Bellingham] to score goals again," Ancelotti said. "Jude's games have always been good. Now he's being more clinical, and we're better in possession, with more clarity.

"The individual improvement of players like Mbappé opens up spaces in the final third, and Jude has taken advantage of that. His position hasn't changed."

Madrid are one point behind league leaders Barcelona, who play away at Mallorca on Tuesday, before Madrid's trip to San Mamés to face Athletic.

Ancelotti confirmed that midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni had recovered from injury and was available to start.

- Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez