Real Madrid have been generally pretty wretched for long periods this season, but would it surprise anyone if they went on to win the Champions League? Back in January, following their Supercopa de España Final defeat against Barcelona in Jeddah, manager Xabi Alonso was unceremoniously sacked after just 34 matches in charge.
This felt insanely harsh, especially when President Florentino Pérez then decided to appoint Álvaro Arbeloa as his replacement, after only six months with Castilla. Well, the 43 year old's debut in the dugout was hardly a dream one, ignominiously knocked out of the Copa del Rey by second-tier Albacete Balompié. At this point, it appeared unlikely Arbeloa would be in charge for very long at all.
However, there are signs that the rookie coach is starting to turn things around, especially in the Champions League. After ousting Benfica, los Merengues demolished Manchester City in the round of 16. Fede Valverde's first half hat-trick secured a 3-0 first leg lead at the Bernabéu, before Vinícius Júnior was at the double at the Etihad on Tuesday. Thus, Arbeloa has become the first Real Madrid manager in history to win his first 4 European Cup or Champions League knockout matches.
Real Madrid manager's first 4 Champions League knockout matches
Managers | Wins | Loses | Goals scored | Goals against |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Álvaro Arbeloa | 4 | 0 | 8 | 2 |
Zinédine Zidane | 3 | 1 | 7 | 2 |
Carlo Ancelotti | 3 | 1 | 12 | 5 |
José Mourinho | 3 | 0 | 9 | 1 |
Carlos Queiroz | 2 | 1 | 7 | 6 |
Vicente del Bosque | 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 |
Jupp Heynckes | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
John Toshack | 3 | 1 | 8 | 1 |
Leo Beenhakker | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
Vujadin Boškov | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
Luis Molowny | 3 | 1 | 15 | 3 |
Miljan Miljanić | 2 | 2 | 10 | 7 |
Miguel Muñoz | 3 | 0 | 13 | 3 |
Luis Carniglia | 3 | 0 | 18 | 3 |
José Villalonga | 3 | 1 | 11 | 3 |
Jupp Heynckes, Vicente del Bosque, Zinédine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti all won the Champions League during the first season in charge of Real Madrid, with del Bosque and Zizou doing so having been appointed mid-season. So, could Arbeloa replicate that in Budapest come May?
Well, through to the last eight in Europe and currently second in La Liga, four points behind Barcelona, the next period of the campaign will be season-defining for los Merengues.
Real Madrid's next 7 fixtures
- Sunday 22 May. Atlético Madrid - Bernabéu. La Liga.
- Saturday 4 April. RCD Mallorca - Son Moix. La Liga.
- Tuesday 7 April. Bayern Munich - Bernabéu. Champions League quarter-final.
- 12/13 April. Girona - Bernabéu. La Liga.
- Wednedsay 15 April. Bayern Munich - Allianz Arena. Champions League quarter-final.
- 22/23/24 April. Deportivo Alavés - Bernabéu. La Liga.
- 25/26 April. Real Betis - La Cartuja. La Liga.
Up next in the Champions League is the small matter of facing run-away Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich. Los Blancos will need to pull off something of an upset to progress through that tie, given that the second leg is in Bavaria, as well as the fact Vincent Kompany's team won seven out of eight league phase matches, before annihilating Atalanta 10-2.
Meantime, in La Liga, it is a Madrid derby to come on Sunday night, while the clash with Real Betis at the Cartuja towards the end of April is likely to be tricky too. That's not to mention the fact that there's a Clásico three games before the end of the season, so they need to remain within touching distance of Barça by then.
For long periods of this campaign, Real Madrid have been a basket case, seemingly incapable of winning anything. Now though, after dismanteling Manchester City, there are signs that Arbeloa is starting to figure it out.