Álvaro Arbeloa has etched his name into the Real Madrid record books following a significant European victory at the Estádio da Luz on Tuesday. The former defender-turned-manager witnessed his side secure a 1-0 advantage over Benfica in the first leg of their Champions League knockout playoff, a result that simultaneously triggered a historic statistical milestone. With Vinicius Junior providing the clinical finish to decide the match, Arbeloa’s tenure continues to defy expectations through sheer offensive consistency.
According to data provided by OptaJose, Real Madrid has now found the back of the net in every single one of the nine fixtures played under Arbeloa’s leadership across all competitions. This prolific run has produced a total of 23 goals, showcasing a ruthless attacking efficiency that the club had not seen in the opening stages of a managerial reign for over a decade. Arbeloa’s current streak represents the most successful scoring start for a Los Blancos coach since Manuel Pellegrini’s arrival in the 2009/10 season.
“According to OptaJose, Real Madrid have scored in all nine of their matches under Arbeloa as manager in all competitions this season (23 goals in total). The latest record is the best start by any manager at the club since Manuel Pellegrini in the 2009/10 season, who scored in his first 10 matches,” the analytics firm confirmed.
Pellegrini’s legendary start saw the team score in 10 consecutive opening matches during the era of the “Galácticos 2.0,” a benchmark that Arbeloa can now equal in his next domestic outing. The tactical shift under the new manager has revitalized players like Vinicius and Kylian Mbappé, who have thrived in a system that prioritizes high-intensity transitions and constant goal-mouth pressure. While the narrow win in Portugal provides a vital platform for the return leg, it is the underlying consistency of the team’s attack that has captured the attention of the Madridistas.
The league leaders now shift their focus back to domestic duties as they prepare to travel to El Sadar to face Osasuna this coming weekend. A goal in Pamplona would see Arbeloa pull level with Pellegrini’s decade-old milestone, further solidifying his position as a coaching revelation in the Spanish capital. As Real Madrid maintains its lead at the top of the La Liga table, the manager aims to sustain this scoring momentum to ensure the club remains on track for both domestic and continental silverware.
About the Author
