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Real Madrid beat Levante 2-0 in Alvaro Arbeloa’s first La Liga game in charge
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Raul Asencio heads in second goal for hosts after Kylian Mbappe penalty
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Real move to within a point of leaders Barcelona
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Levante stay second bottom, four points from safety
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa believes fan protests at the Bernabeu came from “people who don’t like” the club as his side beat Levante to move to within one point of La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Madrid supporters waved white handkerchiefs before kick-off on Saturday and then aimed boos and whistles at players – in particular Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Federico Valverde – as well as president Florentino Perez.
“I know the source of these chants and campaigns. They come from people who don’t like Real Madrid,” said Arbeloa.
“It’s a pleasure to have a president who is the most important figure in the history of this club, alongside Santiago Bernabeu.
“He has achieved everything, and I know the source of these chants.”
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid defender – who replaced Xabi Alonso as manager on Monday – was also targeted during the game.
Second-half goals from Kylian Mbappe and Raul Asencio helped the 15-time European Cup winners seal a 2-0 victory at the end of a tumultuous week.
“I’ve always respected the Bernabeu, I’ve been booed a lot too. It wasn’t a good week for us, and the fans have the right to express their anger,” added Arbeloa.
“I don’t think booing at Vini will continue. I respect the Bernabeu crowd. Their demands motivate the players to give their best.”
After a humiliating defeat in the Copa del Rey to second division side Albacete on Wednesday, Arbeloa restored Mbappe and Bellingham to the starting XI for his first La Liga match in charge.
The unrest among supporters became clear in the opening 10 minutes when Bellingham was the subject of jeers from the stands despite driving his side towards goal.
After managing only one shot on target in the first half, Arbeloa shuffled his pack at the break and called upon Arda Guler and Franco Mastantuono for the second half.
In the 58th minute, Mbappe broke the deadlock from the penalty spot after drawing a foul from Adrian de la Fuente.
The France forward – who is La Liga’s top scorer this season with 19 goals – was one of a few players, along with 21-year-old forward Gonzalo Garcia, not to be jeered by the Real fans.
Defender Asencio added a second for the hosts seven minutes later when he climbed highest to head home Guler’s corner.
Real are next in action on Tuesday when they host Monaco in the Champions League.
