MUNICH, Germany — Coach Álvaro Arbeloa remarked that it was “clear” Eduardo Camavinga’s red card played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s elimination from the Champions League quarterfinals by Bayern Munich on Wednesday. Midfielder Jude Bellingham described the decision as “a joke.”
With Madrid leading 3-2 at the Allianz Arena and the aggregate tie tied at 4-4 heading into extra time, Camavinga was sent off in the 86th minute after receiving a second yellow card from referee Slavko Vinčić.
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Luis Díaz scored for Bayern just three minutes later, and Michael Olise added a goal with the last kick of the match, sealing a 6-4 aggregate victory for the home side.
Arda Güler, who had scored twice earlier in the match, was also sent off at the final whistle for arguing with the officials.
“It’s obvious that the red card changed the game,” Arbeloa told Movistar. “You can’t send a player off for something like that. I don’t think the referee was aware that [Camavinga] already had a yellow card.”
Bellingham echoed Arbeloa’s sentiments, labeling the decision as “a joke,” as he walked through the mixed zone, stating, “Two fouls [by Camavinga], two yellow cards.”
Defender Antonio Rüdiger expressed his frustrations succinctly: “It’s better not to say anything… You saw what happened, right?”
Güler had opened the scoring for Madrid just 35 seconds into the game and later netted a free kick, while Kylian Mbappé also found the back of the net before halftime in a thrilling first half.
“The players delivered a fantastic performance,” Arbeloa noted. “I feel for them, for the fans here, and those watching at home. It pains me that Real Madrid won’t capture the 16th [European Cup] this year. They gave their all.”
During his post-match press conference, Arbeloa faced a barrage of questions regarding his future, as Madrid now sits nine points behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona after their Champions League exit.
“I will accept the repercussions of a defeat like this,” Arbeloa, who succeeded Xabi Alonso in January, stated. “Since taking this position, I’ve always aimed to support the club in any way possible.”
“I haven’t been focused on showcasing my coaching abilities but rather on aiding the players on the field. We’ve encountered numerous tough teams like [Vincent] Kompany’s Bayern, Pep Guardiola’s [Manchester] City, and [Diego] Simeone’s Atlético. I’m unsure how much of my influence remains with this team, but it is certainly less than the examples I’ve attempted to set.”
“I’ve tried my best to assist the club, and I will continue to do so until the very end… I completely understand any decision the club may take.”
Real Madrid’s next matches are against Alavés, Real Betis, and Espanyol in LaLiga, leading up to a Clásico showdown with Barcelona at Camp Nou on May 10.