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| A New Chapter Begins: Álvaro Arbeloa Makes Real Madrid Debut Against Albacete in Copa del Rey. |
Real Madrid are set to kick off a new chapter as they travel to face Albacete in the Copa del Rey Round of 16. The match marks Álvaro Arbeloa’s first game in charge of Los Blancos and the first meeting between the two sides since 2005.
For Albacete, this is a special occasion. The club have not returned to LaLiga since that year and are currently fighting to stay afloat in Spain’s second division. Sitting 17th in LaLiga 2, they are just above the relegation zone and know they face a huge challenge against one of Europe’s elite teams.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, arrive with a strong recent record in this competition. They have reached the Copa del Rey final twice in the last three seasons and lifted the trophy in 2023 after defeating Osasuna. Now, under new leadership, fans are eager to see how Madrid respond.
Arbeloa’s debut and possible rotation
This match will be Arbeloa’s first test as head coach after stepping up from Real Madrid Castilla. He replaces Xabi Alonso, who departed earlier this week. While it’s still unclear how long Arbeloa will remain in charge, the trip to Albacete offers an immediate opportunity to make a positive impression.
Albacete are expected to field a strong lineup, with no injury concerns following their last outing against Real Sociedad B. Head coach Alberto González could stick with a similar team to the one that shocked LaLiga side Celta Vigo in the previous round.
Real Madrid, however, are dealing with several absences. Éder Militão, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Brahim Díaz, and Ferland Mendy remain sidelined. Antonio Rüdiger and Federico Valverde are also doubts after their involvement in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. Given the demanding schedule, Arbeloa may opt for several changes.
Defensive concerns for Albacete
It has been a tough season for Albacete in LaLiga 2, especially at the back. Their defensive record is among the weakest in the division, and they have often struggled to keep opponents at bay.
Even in their dramatic win over Celta Vigo, Albacete were under heavy pressure and needed a late equalizer before eventually winning on penalties. That performance highlighted defensive issues that could be ruthlessly exposed by Real Madrid’s attacking quality.
Barcelona defeat sealed Alonso’s fate
Before the coaching change, Madrid had started to find some momentum. However, the loss to Barcelona proved decisive. Chasing their rivals for most of the season and now sitting four points behind them in LaLiga, the defeat in Saudi Arabia was the final blow that ended Alonso’s tenure.
Now, Madrid enter a new era under Arbeloa, hoping for renewed focus and stability as they continue to compete on multiple fronts.
Is Mbappé ready to start?
All eyes will once again be on Kylian Mbappé. The French superstar made his first appearance of 2026 against Barcelona, coming off the bench for a brief cameo after recovering from injury.
To build match fitness ahead of the weekend’s LaLiga action, Arbeloa could hand Mbappé a starting role. The forward has been sensational this season, scoring 18 goals in 18 LaLiga starts. If he’s fit enough to play from the beginning, he will be the main threat Albacete must try to contain.
Match prediction
On paper, Real Madrid have a clear advantage in terms of quality and experience. Even playing away from home, they should be able to control the game and create plenty of chances.
Prediction: Albacete 0–3 Real Madrid, a confident start to the Álvaro Arbeloa era.