Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa calls for Bernabeu fan backing against Levante

Real Madrid suffered two damaging defeats in quick succession. They were beaten 3-2 by Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday, before being knocked out of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday following a shock 3-2 loss to second-tier Albacete.

The cup defeat marked Arbeloa's first match as head coach after Xabi Alonso's departure.

Despite the setbacks, Real remain second in La Liga with 45 points from 19 matches, four behind leaders Barcelona.

"I have a lot of respect for the opinion of the Bernabeu," Arbeloa said on Friday. "I understand that the fans are hurt and disappointed, but I'm going to ask them to support their players."

The former Real defender, who won the Champions League twice with the club, stressed the importance of unity in difficult moments.

"Great achievements have been made when the Bernabeu has stood by its players," he said. "I ask them to stand by us, support us and hopefully this season will end the way we want it to."

Arbeloa refused to single out individuals after the defeat at Albacete, insisting responsibility rested with him.

"When things aren't going well, it's because I need to help my players better," he said. "I work to find solutions, not to blame."

He also shared a message about mentality with his squad, recalling how long it took him to win his first European Cup.

"I told them that when I finally won it, a teammate turned to me and said, ‘Let's go for another one.' That was Dani Carvajal. The past doesn't matter."

There was positive news on the team front, with Kylian Mbappe, La Liga's leading scorer this season with 18 goals, declared fit after recovering from a left knee sprain. However, Rodrygo will miss the match.