Álvaro Arbeloa delivered harsh criticism of Real Madrid fans following the victory over Levante

Álvaro Arbeloa experienced his first match as Real Madrid head coach at the Santiago Bernabéu this Saturday, following the team’s 2-0 victory over Levante in Matchday 20 of La Liga EA Sports. While the result provided a much-needed gasp of air for an institution suffocating under extreme tension, the atmosphere in the stands told a different story. The victory serves as a temporary balm after a "Black Week" that included losing the Spanish Super Cup final to Barcelona, the dismissal of Xabi Alonso, and a humiliating Copa del Rey exit against second-division Albacete.

Despite the three points, the fans were far from forgiving. Throughout the match, whistles echoed across the stadium, targeting both the players and the directorial box. Arbeloa, known during his playing days as "The Spartan" for his fierce loyalty to the club, did not hold back in the post-match press conference, launching a provocative defense of the institution and its president, Florentino Pérez.

Arbeloa addressed the hostile reception head-on, suggesting that the critics within the stadium might not have the club's best interests at heart.

"You know I am someone who respects the Bernabéu. I was whistled many times as a player, and that helped me grow. We knew what kind of week we were coming from, and the demands at Real Madrid are always to be at the top," Arbeloa began.

However, his tone shifted when discussing the chants directed at the president. "I know where the whistles and the campaigns come from. The whistles come from people who do not love Real Madrid. For me, it is a blessing to have a president who is the most important person in the history of this club alongside Santiago Bernabéu. He has won everything, and I know exactly why some people are choosing to whistle him now."

One of the most delicate topics of the night was the state of Vinícius Jr. The Brazilian winger once again failed to find the back of the net and was the primary target of the fans' ire. The pressure has reached such a breaking point that Vini was seen crying in the tunnel before kickoff. Arbeloa, rather than criticizing the player's lack of production, doubled down on his support for the No. 7.

"My only mission is to bring out the best version of Vinícius. I am going to make sure his teammates look for him on the pitch constantly. He represents Madrid perfectly; he takes risks, he dares to dribble, he stands out. I am proud to be his coach. He is going to give us many more titles, just as he has already done," the coach emphasized.

Arbeloa acknowledged the fans' right to be angry given the recent results, but he insisted that as the manager, he should be the primary lightning rod for criticism. "The public has the right to show their anger after a bad week. Now, I have to win as a coach, and if there are whistles, they should be for me first."

The interim coach also touched upon the psychological fortitude required to wear the white shirt of the most successful club in UEFA Champions League history. Playing at the Bernabéu under a cloud of disapproval is a test of character that many world-class players fail.

"Of course, the players understand the whistles. It isn’t easy to want the ball in a situation like this, but they do. We know the responsibility we carry, and I am very proud to coach these players. To play for Real Madrid, you need a specific mentality, and these players have it," Arbeloa concluded.

With this win, Real Madrid moves to 49 points, sitting just one point behind FC Barcelona (pending the Catalans' result against Real Sociedad). The "Arbeloa Era" has started with a win at home, but the divide between the pitch and the stands remains wide. As the team prepares for the return of the Champions League, the internal battle to regain the fans' trust will be just as important as the battle for the league title.