Real Madrid’s shock exit from the Copa del Rey at the hands of Segunda Division side Albacete has left players and fans reeling, and Dani Carvajal’s reaction spoke plainly about how deep the disappointment runs at the club.
The Spanish giants were expected to advance comfortably despite missing some key starters, but instead they conceded a dramatic late winner and crashed out of the competition in the round of 16.
The result marked a humbling setback for a side that carries lofty expectations in every tournament they contest, and the defeat has sparked intense reflection behind the scenes.
Carvajal’s remarks after the match laid bare the squad’s mood and underlined the work required to lift the team back to its expected standards.
Dani Carvajal admits Real Madrid have hit ‘rock bottom’
Speaking after the game, Carvajal said: “Today we hit rock bottom. We’ve been knocked out by a Segunda División team and congratulations to them. From tomorrow, we have to be self-critical individually and collectively.”
He added: “We still have time to turn the season around. We have two fantastic competitions to fight for. The team isn’t at its best right now, and we have to work hard.”
The match saw Real Madrid eliminated 3-2 by Albacete after a stoppage-time winner stunned the away supporters and sparked wild celebrations among the home crowd.
The result was compounded by the fact it was Álvaro Arbeloa’s managerial debut after a recent change at the helm, adding extra scrutiny to the club’s tactical choices.
Real fielded a rotated squad with several first-team regulars absent, yet supporters expected the depth and quality of the squad to prevail.
Instead, Madrid struggled to break down a disciplined Albacete defence and ultimately conceded a decisive goal in added time, cutting their cup run dramatically short.
Dani Carvajal calls for more effort and an apology to Real Madrid fans
Carvajal did not shy away from criticism of the team’s performance or the role that attitude and effort played in the outcome.
“We all have to give a lot more and that is the reality. That’s the message, we have to go all out. We also apologise to the fans and we are not, myself first, at the level and expectations of this club,” he continued.
Carvajal concluded: “We promise to give our all in the games over the next few months so that the situation can be reversed.”
The Madrid star’s comments struck a tone of accountability, emphasising both collective responsibility and individual effort.
With the club still active in La Liga and European competition, Carvajal made clear that the squad must respond swiftly and strongly if they hope to salvage a challenging season.
For a club accustomed to lifting trophies, this Copa del Rey exit is more than a blip. It is a reminder that even the most storied organizations can falter on a given night, and that rebuilding confidence and form will require focus, energy, and unity from every member of the squad.
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