The Santiago Bernabeu is set to host what promises to be a thrilling UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg as Real Madrid prepares to overturn a 3-0 deficit against Arsenal.
After a humbling defeat at the Emirates, Real Madrid’s camp is buzzing with defiance, with players and manager rallying behind the mantra, “90 minutes at Bernabeu is long.”
In the first leg of their matchup at the Emirates in London, Arsenal showcased a dominant performance, taking advantage of Real Madrid’s defensive mistakes to achieve a decisive 3-0 victory.
Two free-kick goals from Declan Rice and a goal from Mikel Merino silenced the travelling Madridistas, leaving Los Blancos with a mountain to climb.
With many writing off Real Madrid’s chances, the 15-time Champions League winners have once again reiterated that they are no strangers to defying the odds.
Speaking during his press conference, Real Madrid’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, said: “If you look at the game [last week], there is no possibility.
“But nobody expected Rice would score two goals from set-pieces, so in football, anything can happen.
“The possibility is low but we have to try 100%.”
Also, Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, addressing a press conference, said: “The most word used in the dressing room in the last days is Remontada [comeback].
“There’s not a lot you can do for Real Madrid in the Champions League that hasn’t already been done.
“Tomorrow is an opportunity for us to do something for the first time and that’s important to us.
“It’s a weird environment these last few days. It’s one of the worst results we could imagine away, and for some reason, everyone thinks it’s nailed on that we’ll come back.
“There’s a lot of trust in the talent. It means you’re at a club that’s unlike any other, the best in the world.”
The Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that Madrid is no stranger to making comebacks in the UEFA Champions League.
Real Madrid has a remarkable track record in the Champions League when facing a deficit after the first leg.
On three out of the last four occasions they found themselves trailing, the team has successfully mounted a comeback to advance to the next round.
Notable instances include their remarkable turnarounds against Wolfsburg in the 2015-16 season, as well as victories over Paris St-Germain and Manchester City in the 2021-22 season.
But Arsenal can take belief from the fact this is the joint-largest deficit Madrid have ever trailed by heading into a Champions League second leg.
The last time they faced such a task was against Borussia Dortmund in the 2012-13 semi-final, when Robert Lewandowski netted a hat-trick in a 4-1 win for Jurgen Klopp’s side in Germany.
Real won the return match 2-0 in Madrid, but Dortmund progressed to the final on aggregate.
Also, a deficit of three goals or more has been overturned just four times since the European Cup became the Champions League in 1992.
Liverpool trailed 3-0 against Barcelona going into the second leg of their 2018-19 semi-final at Anfield but stormed into the final with four unanswered goals.
Deportivo La Coruna, against AC Milan in 2004, and Roma, in 2018 against Barcelona, are the only other teams to have come back from three goals down after a first leg in the Champions League era.
However, in the memorable 2016-17 season, Barcelona achieved an incredible comeback known as ‘La Remontada.’ They overturned a daunting four-goal deficit by defeating PSG 6-1 at the Nou Camp, showcasing their resilience and determination in a thrilling match.
