Arbeloa slams Mastantuono over late red after Getafe defeat

Alvaro Arbeloa criticised Franco Mastantuono after Real Madrid's shock 1-0 home defeat to Getafe, calling the teenager's late dismissal "unacceptable". The loss leaves Los Blancos four points behind Barcelona in the La Liga title race and adds pressure to the manager's tenure, though Arbeloa insisted his side can still overturn the deficit.

The atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu turned toxic on Monday night as Martin Satriano's first-half volley settled a match dominated by tension. Mastantuono received a straight red in stoppage time for allegedly using abusive language towards referee Alejandro Muniz Ruiz, a decision Arbeloa said could not be tolerated.

With Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham already absent, the midfielder's sending-off means he will join suspended duo Alvaro Carreras and Dean Huijsen for the trip to Celta Vigo. Arbeloa defended his players' effort despite missed chances from Vinicius Junior, Antonio Rudiger and Rodrygo, and accepted responsibility for the team's shortcomings.

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