16/01/2026

SPORTS FRIDAY | JAN 16, 2026

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Blame me, says Arbeloa

NEW COACH Alvaro Arbeloa said he was not afraid of failure as he took the blame for Real Madrid’s stunning 3-2 defeat to second-division Albacete in the Copa del Rey round of 16 yesterday. Arbeloa endured a nightmare start to his managerial career at Real after taking charge of the Spanish giants following Xabi Alonso’s departure on Monday. The shock result capped a dismal week for the club, who also lost 3-2 to Barcelona in Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final. The 42-year-old Arbeloa inherits a side four points adrift of their arch-rivals Barcelona in LaLiga and now out of the Copa del Rey .

remained steadfast in his belief that failure is a stepping stone to success. “I’m not afraid of failure,” he said. “I understand anyone who wants to describe this defeat as a failure. Failure is part of the road to success. It will make me better, and it will make us all better. I’ve endured defeats harder than this one. We’ll prepare for the next match with maximum dedication. “With a new manager, players will need time to adjust to different ideas,” he said. “What happens on the pitch is ultimately my responsibility. We need clearer ideas in how we approach matches, particularly against teams that defend deep.” – Reuters

against an organised and determined Albacete side. Despite the result, Arbeloa doubled down on his choices. “I don’t regret it. I was convinced that the squad I brought was the right one,” he asserted. “The players we had formed a great team. I would make the same decision a thousand times over. It’s difficult for players to adapt to everything I’ve asked of them in just one day. We also have many players who need to recover physically.” Madrid’s second consecutive loss in less than a week was a blow for Arbeloa, but the manager

Speaking after the humbling result at a misty Carlos Belmonte stadium, the former Real Madrid defender took full responsibility for the defeat but insisted that brighter days lay ahead. “At this club, a draw is always bad, a tragedy. It’s painful, and I’m sure all our fans are hurting,” Arbeloa told reporters. “I am responsible and to blame. As for the line-up and the substitutions, I can only thank the players. Now we have to recover for Saturday.” Arbeloa’s decision to rest several first-team stars came under scrutiny as Madrid struggled

Afcon final showdown Morocco beat Nigeria on penalties to set up Cup of Nations clash vs Senegal

SHORTS Great future ahead for Alonso: Flick BARCELONA COACH Hansi Flick said yesterday, Xabi Alonso has a great future in football despite Real Madrid replacing him at the helm this week. Flick’s Barca beat Alonso’s Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday and a day later Los Blancos agreed a deal with the Basque coach to depart and appointed Alvaro Arbeloa. “We have to continue, we have to think about what we can do better, but he’s a fantastic coach and also has a great future,” Flick said. Alonso, who won the Bundesliga unbeaten with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024, lasted less than eight months in charge of Madrid but Flick believes the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich player will soon land another big role. “This is football and it’s not my business, but what I can say is that I have a very good relationship with Xabi,” explained Flick. “I met him at Leverkusen, when I was the (German) national coach, I always stayed in contact with him. He’s a fantastic coach. “This is football, we have to accept these things, I wish him all the best and I think he will get a new one, a big project for him and his team.” Spurs sign Gallagher from Atleti ENGLAND MIDFIELDER Conor Gallagher has signed for Tottenham Hotspur from Atletico Madrid on a long-term contract, the Premier League club said yesterday. The 25-year-old, who joined the Spanish side from Chelsea in 2024, made four starts in La Liga this season. Spurs and Atletico agreed a transfer fee of approximately £ 34.6 million pounds (RM189m), according to British media. “I’m so happy and excited to be here, taking the next step in my career at an amazing club,” said Gallagher, who will be hoping a return to the Premier League will boost his chances of making England’s World Cup squad. The pressure is mounting on manager Thomas Frank with Tottenham registering one win in their last seven games across all competitions. Tottenham, 14th in the Premier League standings, face relegation-threatened West Ham United on Saturday.

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Senegal’s Sadio Mane (left) and Morocco’s Youssef En-Nesyri in action during their respective Afcon semifinal matches against Egypt and Nigeria yesterday. – AFPPIC

H OSTS Morocco will play Sadio Mane’s Senegal in this weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations final after both emerged victori ous in tense last-four ties yesterday as Mohamed Salah’s dreams of winning the title were again dashed. Morocco beat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties after their semifinal showdown of few chances in capital Rabat finished 0-0 at the end of extra time, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou performing heroics by saving twice in the shootout. Bounou saved from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi, allowing Youssef En-Nesyri to convert the winning kick and spark wild celebrations among over 65,000 fans inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. As well as joy there was relief for Hamza Igamane, who had appeared distraught after his kick – Morocco’s second in the shootout – was saved by Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. He was the only Moroccan player to fail to score in the shoot-out, however, with captain and talisman Achraf Hakimi among those who

were maybe the best team that there has been in this Afcon.” Earlier, Mane scored a 78th-minute winner to give Senegal a 1-0 victory over Egypt in Tangiers, then said he was playing in the tournament for the last time. “I’m very happy to be able to play in my very last Afcon. I hope to win it (the final) and bring (the trophy) back to Dakar,” the 33-year-old said. It will be Senegal’s fourth Cup of Nations final appearance overall and their third in the last four editions. “I think we managed the game well from start to finish and, overall, we deserved to win. We’ll try to be ready for the final, above all to give our best,” said Mane. “The most important thing for me is that Senegal wins every time … I am a soldier of the nation. I try to give my all every day, whether in training or in matches. “The Africa Cup of Nations is the most difficult competition in the world. All the teams are evenly matched.” – AFP

converted their penalties. “It was one of the hardest matches we have had against a very solid and talented team,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui, who played in the last Atlas Lions team to reach the Afcon final when they lost to Tunisia in 2004. “I am very happy for the players and for the Moroccan people who really deserve this. “It is a great gift for them to be in the final but we will need to recover quickly because we put a lot of energy into the game.” Led by two recent winners of the African player of the year prize in Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Nigeria had been arguably the best team at the tournament up to the semifinals and the top scorers with 14 goals in their first five matches. “The players fought for every ball and it is difficult to lose on penalties, but this is football and we have to accept it,” said Nigeria coach Eric Chelle. He added: “I am proud of my players but I am disappointed for them because the reality is we

Neville’s comments about Martinelli spark huge complaints BROADCASTING regulator Ofcom has received 576 complaints following comments made by Gary Neville during Sky Sports’ coverage of Arsenal’s recent clash with Liverpool. sustained a serious knee injury during the 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium last Thursday. pitch. You cannot do that. That is so poor. An apology is needed. Bradley is being stretchered off. I’m fuming with Martinelli to be honest. remainder campaign,

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while Martinelli apologised for his actions post match. The number of complaints received is recorded in Ofcom’s weekly audience report and was the highest for any programme for the period Jan 6-12. No other programme received more than 50 complaints. – The Independent

Bradley was lying on the ground when Martinelli dropped the ball on him and attempted to move him off the pitch, prompting Neville’s remarks. Former Manchester United fullback Neville, co-commentating, said: “You can’t push him off the

“I don’t know how the Liverpool players didn’t go over and absolutely whack him to be honest with you and take a red card. Absolutely disgraceful, that.” Bradley has since had surgery which has ruled him out of the

The complaints stem from Neville’s criticism of Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli’s conduct during the game. Martinelli was seen pushing an injured Conor Bradley, who had