Without some of their key players including Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid suffered an embarrassing 3-2 loss to second division side Albacete in a dramatic match in the Round of 16 of the Copa Del Rey.
Real Madrid crashed out of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday as second-tier Albacete pulled off a dramatic 3-2 victory in what was the debut outing for Alvaro Arbeloa as manager of the Spanish giants.
Substitute Jefte Betancor scored twice for the second division side, who are currently 17th in their tier, as they earned a dramatic victory at home to dump the
Los Blancos out of the tournament in the Round of 16.
Madrid were without the services of Kylian Mbappe and some other key players and the club was made to pay dearly for taking the clash lightly as Arbeloa debut game became a nightmare.
Gerard Pique’s sarcastic jibe to Madrid’s defeat
While Madrid fans were left stunned with their team’s performances, the supporters of their rival Barcelona had a field day. Former FC Barcelona player Gerard Pique was also among the social media users who responded cheekily to the defeat of Madrid.
“Good debut for the new Madrid,” he wrote on Twitch in a sarcastic attack at Arbeloa whose managerial debut was spoiled.
The context can also be seen as the continuation to rivalry of Arbeloa and Pique in their respective times in LaLiga. Pique was a star defender of Barcelona when Arbeloa played for Real Madrid. Their clash in multiple El Clasico encounters also saw the two stars landing verbal blows on each other.
“Arbeloa proclaims himself my friend but he is only an acquaintance, a traffic cone… acquaintance,” Pique had said in 2015.
Before that Arbeloa had said that “one day I will see Pique in the comedy club talking about Madrid”.
The defeat in his debut match for Arbeloa gave Pique an opportunity to turn the clock back and gain an upperhand in this rivalry. Pique grabbed the chance with both hands and ensured that the defeat would sting Arbeloa a little more.
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