Real Madrid’s defeat to Mallorca has reignited doubts surrounding Álvaro Arbeloa’s project. Combined with FC Barcelona’s victory over Atlético de Madrid, the result leaves the LaLiga title race virtually out of reach for Los Blancos.

One of the most striking aspects is the direct comparison with his predecessor, Xabi Alonso. Arbeloa has already recorded five defeats in just 18 matches, matching Xabi’s total from earlier in the season—but in ten fewer games.

In terms of overall results, Arbeloa’s record stands at 13 wins and five losses, with no draws so far. By contrast, Xabi Alonso posted 20 victories, three draws, and five defeats across 28 matches, delivering more consistent performances overall.

Another key difference lies in the level of opposition. Xabi’s defeats came against top-tier teams such as Atlético de Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City, and FC Barcelona. Meanwhile, Arbeloa has dropped points against lower-ranked sides including Osasuna, Getafe, Mallorca, and Albacete, as well as suffering a Champions League defeat to Benfica.

In performance metrics, Xabi averaged 2.24 points per game, slightly ahead of Arbeloa’s 2.17. However, the current Madrid coach still leans on his Champions League knockout win over Manchester City as a key achievement.

With LaLiga nearly lost and sitting seven points behind Barcelona, the Champions League now represents Real Madrid’s last real chance at silverware. The upcoming clash against Bayern Munich could define not only the season—but also Arbeloa’s future on the bench.

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