Real Madrid « will not throw in the towel »

Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa took responsibility for the heavy defeat at home to Getafe but said his side were still looking for La Liga.

A great shot by Martin Satriano gave the visitors a famous 1-0 win on a night where the Bernabeu crowd jeered and booed Real’s players and board.

Real are now four points behind Barcelona in the title race, but Arbeloa – who replaced Xabi Alonso in January – says they will fight.

« There are 36 points to play for and our only goal is to get them, » Arbeloa said.

« Nobody is going to throw in the towel. It’s a gap we think we can close. This is Real Madrid and nobody is going to give up.

« There were several chances where we deserved a goal. And football is not about deserving. We knew what kind of game we were facing. And for me, this is the conclusion.

« I know things look very bleak; there is not much hope when you lose like that. But we have a very difficult game in Vigo. But I will not criticize the efforts of my players. Is it my responsibility? Of course it is.

« I know that if anyone is responsible for the defeat, it is me and I accept that. »

Real Madrid had won 18 of their previous 20 La Liga matches at the Bernabeu, but it was a heavy second successive league defeat for Arbeloa.

The former Liverpool full-back has won his first five league games in a row but is now under pressure despite reaching the last 16 of the Champions League.