Arsenal travel to the iconic Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday night, aiming to finish the job they emphatically started at the Emirates, where they stunned Real Madrid with a 3-0 win in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final.
While the Gunners are in pole position to reach their first semi-final since 2009, the spectre of Madrid’s history in this competition still looms large and no one is ruling out a comeback just yet.
A Night of Caution and Courage
Both teams enter the second leg with more than just tactics on their minds, discipline is also a key factor. For Arsenal, four players; Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, and Gabriel Martinelli are walking a tightrope.
Any of them who sees yellow at the Bernabéu will miss the semi-final first leg, should Arsenal go through.
Real Madrid are not exempt either. Vinicius Junior, Luka Modric, Antonio Rudiger, Endrick, and Lucas Vázquez are all one card away from suspension. Manager Carlo Ancelotti is also at risk, with another yellow ruling him out of the next match.
The good news for Los Blancos is the return of Aurelien Tchouaméni from suspension, though they remain without Eduardo Camavinga, who is banned for this game, alongside long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão.
Ancelotti: “We’ve Done It Before, Why Not Again?”
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Carlo Ancelotti urged belief from his squad and fans alike.
“We know the situation, 3-0 is a big mountain. But Real Madrid is built for these nights. We’ve seen teams come back from worse and we’ve done it ourselves. The key is patience, control, and seizing our moments. The tie is not over.”
Ancelotti knows a thing or two about comebacks, he oversaw Madrid’s famous rallies against PSG and Manchester City in recent seasons.
Madrid have overturned two or more goal deficits on four different occasions in the Champions League knockout phase.
However, no team in the competition’s modern history has ever come back from a three-goal deficit without the help of away goals, now obsolete under UEFA’s new rules.
Arteta: “We Respect Madrid, But We’re Not Here to Defend”
For Arsenal, manager Mikel Arteta remains grounded and focused on the challenge ahead.
“It’s a great result from the first leg, but it’s not a reason to relax. This is Real Madrid at the Bernabéu, a club that defines comebacks. We must play like it’s 0-0 and go for the win. Respect, yes. Fear, no.”
Arteta also praised his team’s mental maturity and hinted at rotation only if absolutely necessary, considering the suspension threat hanging over key players like Rice and Martinelli.
History Says It’s Rare – But Not Impossible
Since the Champions League rebranded in 1992, only Barcelona (vs PSG, 2017) and Liverpool (vs Barcelona, 2019) have overturned a three-goal deficit in the knockout stages and both had the return legs at home.
Real Madrid would have to do something unprecedented in the competition’s current format: overturn a three-goal deficit at home without the advantage of away goals.
But if any team can tear up the script, it’s Los Blancos. Whether Arsenal can hold firm or Madrid can summon one of their legendary European nights remains to be seen. One thing is guaranteed, the Bernabéu will be ready.
