Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Namibian
… He was in charge of Real from 2010 to 2013 and won one La Liga title and one Copa del Rey while also taking them to the Champions League semi-finals in each of his three campaigns. …
Real Madrid to play Benfica, PSG face Monaco in Champions League play offsThe Namibian
… He also led them into the Copa del Rey quarter-finals with a victory on penalties over Osasuna, after coming from behind to draw 2-2. …
Contrasting fortunes add Basque derby edge for Matarazzo's revived SociedadThe Namibian
… Madrid crashed out of the Copa del Rey at second-tier Albacete in Arbeloa’s first match at the helm but have won the following three games, including a 6-1 demolition of Monaco. …
Old ally Mourinho between Real Madrid and Champions League last 16The Namibian
… After the shock Copa del Rey defeat at second-tier Albacete in Arbeloa’s first match at the helm just 10 days ago after replacing Xabi Alonso, his Madrid have started to take shape. …
Mbappe double at Villarreal takes Real Madrid top of La LigaThe Namibian
… It was the first glimpse of what his team might look like, after the Copa del Rey last 16 defeat against Albacete in his first match at the helm was the performance of a club deep in the doldrums, two days after Xabi Alonso’s departure. …
Vinicius revival can help Arbeloa's Real Madrid lift offThe Namibian
… After crashing to defeat at second-tier Albacete in the Copa del Rey, Arbeloa oversaw a win against lowly Levante in La Liga on Saturday but the atmosphere in the Bernabeu was toxic with boos directed at the new coach, as well as star players Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham. …
Champions League crunch time as pressure piles on Europe's eliteVillarreal claimed third place in La Liga with an emphatic 5-1 victory over fourth-placed Atletico Madrid in the final match of the Spanish season, marking the club's highest La Liga placement in 13 years. It was manager Marcelino Garcia Toral's last match in charge and captain Dani Parejo's final game for the club.
25 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Villarreal claimed third place in La Liga with an emphatic 5-1 victory over fourth-placed Atletico Madrid in the final match of the Spanish season, marking the club's highest La Liga placement in 13 years. It was manager Marcelino Garcia Toral's last match in charge and captain Dani Parejo's final game for the club.
25 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Atletico Madrid faces Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday, seeking redemption after losing the Copa del Rey final to Real Madrid over a week ago. The club, which has never won Europe's premier competition, can take a first step towards a fourth final appearance under Diego Simeone.
28 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Real Sociedad defeated Atletico Madrid 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the Copa del Rey final in Seville, claiming the club's fourth title. The Basque side came from behind under coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, with goalkeeper Unai Marrero saving two penalties to secure victory.
19 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Atletico Madrid plays Real Sociedad in Saturday's Copa del Rey final, seeking a rare trophy success under coach Diego Simeone. The match is particularly significant for Atletico forward Antoine Griezmann, 35, who is departing for MLS side Orlando City and hopes to leave with a farewell trophy.
17 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth scored to give Atletico Madrid a commanding 2-0 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, with Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi sent off before half-time. Barcelona must stage a comeback in the second leg next Tuesday in Madrid to advance to the semi-finals.
9 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Teenage star Lamine Yamal scored in the 68th minute to secure Barcelona a 1-0 victory at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, restoring the champions' four-point lead over Real Madrid in La Liga.
8 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Lamine Yamal scored a hat-trick in Barcelona's 4-1 win over Villarreal, becoming the youngest player to achieve the feat in La Liga this century at 18 years old. The victory extended Barcelona's lead at the top of the league to four points above Real Madrid.
1 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick faces mounting pressure following two consecutive defeats to Girona and Atletico Madrid, as the Catalan club falls behind Real Madrid in La Liga. Flick acknowledged the team is not in good form due to injuries and fatigue, but resisted calls to adjust his ultra-attacking tactics ahead of Sunday's match against Levante.
20 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Atletico Madrid overwhelmed Copa del Rey holders Barcelona with a 4-0 victory in their semi-final first leg, with goals from Eric Garcia (own goal), Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman, and Julian Alvarez giving them a commanding advantage ahead of the second leg at Camp Nou on March 3.
13 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa and striker Kylian Mbappe both emphasize the need for consistency as the team prepares to face Valencia in La Liga, with Arbeloa stressing that hard work rather than magic is required to turn around recent inconsistent performances.
7 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Real Madrid and Benfica were drawn to face each other in the Champions League playoff round after Benfica beat Madrid 4-2 in their final league phase game on Wednesday. PSG will play domestic rivals Monaco, while Newcastle will face Azerbaijan's Qarabag.
31 January 2026 · The Namibian →
American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo has revived Real Sociedad from near-relegation with five games unbeaten, including wins over Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, ahead of Sunday's Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao, who are languishing in 13th place without a win in their last five La Liga games.
31 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Real Madrid aim to seal direct passage to the Champions League last 16 against Benfica on Wednesday, where they face former coach Jose Mourinho, who coached Madrid between 2010 and 2013. Madrid's new coach Alvaro Arbeloa, a former Mourinho disciple and ex-Madrid defender, will take on his former mentor in what could be a chance for Mourinho to reassert dominance against a club that has not forgotten him.
27 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Kylian Mbappe scored a brace as Real Madrid defeated Villarreal 2-0 on Saturday, moving the club two points clear atop La Liga. The win marked Madrid's third consecutive victory under new coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
25 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Vinicius Junior's resurgent form, highlighted by a dominant display in Real Madrid's 6-1 Champions League win over Monaco, has lifted the team ahead of a crucial La Liga clash with Villarreal where victory could move them top of the table. Coach Alvaro Arbeloa has backed the Brazilian winger publicly, and Vinicius has credited the fans' support for his return to form after a lengthy scoring drought.
23 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Real Madrid, Liverpool, Inter Milan, and Barcelona are among Europe's major clubs facing crucial Champions League matches this week to secure direct qualification to the knockout phase or avoid additional playoff rounds. The top eight teams qualify directly for the last 16, while teams ranked ninth to 24th must play two-legged playoffs.
20 January 2026 · The Namibian →