Alvaro Arbeloa insisted nobody at Real Madrid will give up on their LaLiga title chances, despite a humbling defeat to Getafe keeping them four points behind Barcelona.
Los Blancos were without several injured players, including Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, as they attempted to respond to Barca's 4-1 win over Villarreal on Saturday.
But Getafe left the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu as shock 1-0 victors, thanks to a wonderful 39th-minute volley from Martin Satriano.
Both teams had a player sent off in second-half stoppage time, with Madrid's Franco Mastantuono dismissed for dissent and Getafe's Adrian Liso following when he kicked the ball away, having already been booked.
In truth, Madrid only carved out a couple of clear-cut chances to equalise as Getafe boss Jose Bordalas finally beat Los Blancos at the 17th attempt in LaLiga, following 14 losses and two draws.
But when asked if the result could prove fatal for Madrid's title hopes, Arbeloa said: "No, there are 36 points left and we have no other objective but to fight for those 36 points.
"No one is going to throw in the towel. Four points is a distance we believe we can make up. This is Real Madrid and no one is going to give up here.
"I know things look very dark. We know we have a lot to improve but I am not going to question the effort of the players. That we can do things better and it's my responsibility."
FT: @RealMadridEN 0-1 @GetafeCFen
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) March 2, 2026
39’ Satriano
@Emirates pic.twitter.com/CZO2R7jvoT
Madrid were booed by their supporters at both half-time and full-time, while Arbeloa drew the wrath of the home crowd when he withdrew 18-year-old debutant Thiago Pitarch – who looked tidy in midfield – for an extra defender in Dean Huijsen.
But when asked about that change, Arbeloa said: "Thiago played a great game. It didn't look like his first game for Madrid, with the personality he has shown.
"The change was not due to his performance, on the contrary. The fans whistled the change, and I accept and understand that."
Bordalas, meanwhile, hailed his team's defensive work after Madrid were limited to seven shots on target and 1.57 expected goals (xG).
"Winning at the Bernabeu is not possible for everyone," Bordelas said. "They are one of the best teams in history. We knew we would have to suffer.
"We knew there would be situations [for Madrid] but not as many as they are used to. The team worked phenomenally. This is the way – to have a winning mentality and be capable of beating any opponent."
There was one controversial moment in the first half, as Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger avoided a red card despite appearing to have intentionally struck Diego Rico in the head with his knee, as the Getafe man lay defenceless on the ground after a challenge.
Bordalas said of that incident: "I'm not going to go into that play, but everyone has seen it."