### Real Madrid's Resilience: Overcoming Fan Discontent to Secure Arbeloa's First Win Real Madrid faced a tumultuous atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabéu as they battled against Levante, ultimately securing a 2-0 victory. This match marked the first win for new coach Álvaro Arbeloa, who took over following a series of disappointing results, including a Copa del Rey exit and a loss in the Spanish Super Cup final. The home crowd expressed their frustration through boos and jeers, reflecting their dissatisfaction with the team's recent performances and the abrupt coaching change. Despite the initial hostility, the team rallied in the second half, with Kylian Mbappé and Raúl Asensio scoring to earn crucial points in La Liga, narrowing the gap to league leaders Barcelona to just one point [https://24newshd.tv/18-jan-2026/real-madrid-overcome-bernabeu-boos-record-arbeloa-s-first-win]. ### Breakdown of the Match and Context 1. **Match Overview**: - Real Madrid defeated Levante 2-0, with goals from Kylian Mbappé and Raúl Asensio. - The victory was crucial for new coach Álvaro Arbeloa, marking his first win after a challenging start [https://tribune.com.pk/story/2587761/real-madrid-overcome-bernabeu-boos-to-record-arbeloas-first-win]. 2. **Fan Reactions**: - The match began with significant discontent from the fans, who booed the team and called for the resignation of club president Florentino Pérez. - This reaction stemmed from recent poor performances, including a loss to Barcelona in the Super Cup and an unexpected defeat to a lower-tier team in the Copa del Rey [https://apnews.com/article/real-madrid-levante-jeers-52404323277cfd7c8b32333b3b15a5e5]. 3. **Coaching Transition**: - Arbeloa replaced Xabi Alonso, whose tenure ended after a series of disappointing results. - The new coach acknowledged the fans' right to express their frustrations, emphasizing the high expectations at Real Madrid [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/real-madrid-fans-within-rights-161852210.html]. 4. **Performance Analysis**: - The first half was lackluster, with Madrid struggling to create clear chances, leading to jeers from the crowd. - The second half saw a turnaround, with Arbeloa making tactical changes that energized the team, resulting in two goals and a more dominant performance [https://guyanachronicle.com/2026/01/18/real-madrid-earn-first-win-under-arbeloa-amid-fan-protests]. ### Key Statistics and Highlights - **Goals**: - Kylian Mbappé: Scored a penalty, marking his 19th league goal of the season. - Raúl Asensio: Scored with a header from a corner, showcasing Madrid's improved set-piece execution [https://24newshd.tv/18-jan-2026/real-madrid-overcome-bernabeu-boos-record-arbeloa-s-first-win]. - **Fan Engagement**: - The crowd's reaction was a significant factor, with many fans expressing their dissatisfaction vocally. - Arbeloa's comments post-match highlighted the importance of fan support and the need for the team to earn back their trust [https://forbes.com/sites/tomsanderson/2026/01/17/real-madrid-boss-arbeloa-reacts-to-bernabeu-boos-a-lot-happened-at-half-time]. ### Conclusion: A Step Forward for Real Madrid In summary, **Real Madrid's 2-0 victory over Levante represents a critical turning point for the club under Álvaro Arbeloa**. The match not only provided much-needed points in La Liga but also served as a platform for the team to begin rebuilding trust with their fans. The initial boos and jeers from the crowd highlighted the high expectations placed on the team, but the second-half performance demonstrated potential for improvement. Moving forward, it will be essential for Madrid to build on this victory to avoid further discontent from their passionate supporters [https://football-espana.net/2026/01/17/real-madrid-levante-la-liga-report].