Real Madrid Asks Fans To Back Players, Not Boo Them, Vs Levante: Report

Real Madrid have asked their fans not to boo their footballers at Santiago Bernabeu ahead of their clash against Levante, with the team coming off twin losses against arch-rivals Barcelona and Albacete, to bow out of the Copa del Rey. The Grada Fans were planning a protest after a shocking week for the club.

The past six days have been a historic low for Los Blancos, beginning with their Spanish Super Cup defeat to Barcelona on Sunday, January 11, followed by Xabi Alonso’s departure just seven months into his tenure on Monday.

Matters worsened on Wednesday, as the team, under new manager Álvaro Arbeloa, fell 3-2 to second-division team Albacete, crashing out of the Copa del Rey dramatically.

“Focused and with a lot of energy, with a lot of enthusiasm.

For us, it is a crucial match. Continuing in the fight for La Liga and playing at the Bernabéu motivates us a lot,” Arbeloa said.

The team’s poor performances drew heavy criticism on social media and the Grada Fans had planned to boo and whistle at the footballers in the stadium. COPE now reports that club officials have reached out to fans, asking them to call off their protest.

Arbeloa will take charge on Saturday, January 17, at the Santiago Bernabéu against Levante in La Liga, aware that anything short of a victory would dent their hopes of overtaking Barcelona in the title race.

Arbeloa’s debut in charge ended in humiliation, as a 3-2 defeat to Albacete in the Copa del Rey last 16 drained the team’s morale and derailed any momentum his appointment might have generated.

Arbeloa celebrates his 43rd birthday on Saturday and the perfect gift would be three points against 19th-placed Levante, narrowing Barcelona’s four-point lead and giving Madrid a platform to rebuild.

Next week, the 15-time European champions welcome Monaco for a crucial Champions League clash, aiming to finish in the top eight of the group stage and steer clear of the tricky play-off round.