La Liga title race not over despite Real Madrid's second defeat in a row and Barcelona’s four-point lead, says manager Alvaro Arbeloa

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Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa insists that La Liga's title race is far from over, despite his side suffering their second straight defeat on Monday. Madrid were beaten 1-0 at home by Getafe, missing the opportunity to cut into Barcelona's four-point lead atop the table. But Arbeloa believes there is still plenty to play for this season, while taking on responsibility to "improve the play".

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Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa insists that La Liga's title race is not over, despite his team losing their second game in a row on Monday.

Madrid were beaten 1-0 at home by Getafe thanks to Martin Satriano’s sensational volley, meaning they have lost back-to-back league games for the first time since May 2019.

The result also means that Madrid's bitter rivals, Barcelona, stay four points ahead atop the Liga table and are in pole position for the title. Despite that gap, Arbeloa believes there’s still plenty to play for.

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"No, of course not," Arbeloa said in his post-match press conference when asked if the defeat ended Madrid's title hopes.

"We have 36 points left, and our goal is to earn those 36 points. I know that after a defeat like today’s, things look very bleak, and there’s not much hope when you lose like this, but that has to be our goal.

"Nobody here will give up, this is Real Madrid. Four points is a gap we think we can bridge."

Monday’s game was played without Kylian Mbappe, as the French forward continues to manage a knee issue, and midfielder Jude Bellingham, also dealing with injury.

'Nobody gives up here' - Arbeloa defiant after back-to-back La Liga defeats

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The home side had plenty of chances to open the scoring, but some excellent saves from Getafe goalkeeper David Soria kept the scores level until Satriano’s delightful volley before half-time stunned Madrid.

And despite pushing for an equaliser, there was little in terms of real goal-scoring chances in the second half in what was a lacklustre second half display from the hosts.

Any late hope of a comeback was dented when substitute Franco Mastantuono was sent off deep into injury time for dissent.

The defeat to Getafe comes on the heels of Madrid's 2-1 loss to Osasuna. It was a momentous victory for Getafe, their first at the Bernabeu since 2008.

Arbeloa took responsibility for the result: "We have great players, a great squad, and players who will recover and help us a lot. We can do things better on the pitch. I understand the criticism after a defeat like this.

"We created chances to score. Can we play better? That's also true. I can't criticise the effort of the players. It's my job to improve the play of the team."

Away from the league, Real Madrid are still competing in the UEFA Champions League, having been drawn against Manchester City in the last 16, with the first leg being played next week, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Men's and Women's FA Cup and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

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