Los Blancos were beaten 4-3 (6-4 on aggregate) by the German giants in Wednesday's (15.04.26) thrilling quarter-final second leg and the coach of the 15-time European champions was left nursing a sense of injustice after the French midfielder was dismissed for a second bookable offence as he kicked the ball away when a free-kick was given against him.

Arbeloa said: "No one understands why a player would be sent off for a play like that. At that moment, the play was over. It’s an unfair decision, and we’re really hurt by it. It’s something you can’t control. I’m very proud of my players and the fans. It hurts that we won’t be winning the 16th title this year. Now we have to focus on the next game."

Although Real fell to defeat, the manager was pleased with the way his team performed at the Allianz Arena in their efforts to overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit.

He said: "I put out what I think was the best team to win. We had to come here to do that, not to speculate. To score goals. We needed players capable of breaking out of Bayern’s aggressive pressure. I’d do it again. I’m very proud of my players, of my tremendous team. We had plenty of chances, and it’s a shame we didn’t convert them."

The Champions League exit leaves Real staring at the prospect of a second consecutive season without silverware and Arbeloa "fully understands" that it could cost him his job at the Bernabeu.

The coach, who took charge at the La Liga club in January, said: "I’m not worried about it at all, and I’ll fully understand any decisions the club might make. I’m a man of the club, and if I’m hurt, it’s not for myself, but for Real Madrid. Because we’re not going to win the Sixteenth this year.

"But I’m not very concerned about my future. Ever since I sat in this chair… it hasn’t been the slightest concern. And I feel I’ve done everything I could to help my players."