Even if Alvaro Arbeloa is still getting used to his role as Real Madrid manager, the impact he is starting to leave is clearly undeniable.
There has been a few disturbances during the Spaniard’s reign. His capacity to manage the position at the top level was called into doubt after a challenging run of outcomes early in the campaign.
But recent performances have changed the narrative, with the team’s confidence being restored after impressive wins over Elche and Manchester City.
Aside from the outcomes, Arbeloa has accomplished something even more impressive.
What Is The Narrative?
AS claims that by defeating both Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola in the same season, the Real Madrid manager has joined an exclusive group during the current Champions League campaign.
The journey started earlier in the competition when Madrid had to meet Mourinho’s Benfica in a playoff match.
With a composed play, Arbeloa’s team won 3-1 on aggregate to advance without any significant issues.
Madrid took on Guardiola’s Manchester City in the first leg of the Round of 16. However, in an unexpected outcome, Los Blancos won 3-0 to take command of the match.
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Combining those two outcomes made Arbeloa the first Real Madrid manager and only the third manager in history to accomplish this uncommon feat.
Only Raphael Wicky and Kasper Hjulmand had defeated Mourinho and Guardiola in the same Champions League season prior to him.
This season, Hjulmand achieved the feat with Bayer Leverkusen, winning away games against Manchester City and Benfica.
Meanwhile, Wicky succeeded with Basel in the 2017–18 season, notably defeating Mourinho’s Manchester United and then winning a memorable match against City, though it was insufficient to advance.
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