Synopsis
Real Madrid faces a significant challenge to overturn their Champions League deficit against Arsenal. With a need for a miracle at the Santiago Bernabeu, the team hopes to draw on past comebacks and leverage their star power for a strong performance.Key Takeaways
- Real Madrid must overcome a 3-0 deficit.
- Key players returning include Dani Ceballos and Aurelien Tchouameni.
- Recent performances have been shaky for Madrid.
- Arsenal faces injury challenges ahead of the match.
- Historical comebacks at the Bernabeu could inspire Madrid.
Madrid, April 15 (NationPress) Real Madrid is seeking another miracle at the Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday (IST) to overcome their first-leg loss against Arsenal in the Champions League and advance to the semi-finals of this prestigious tournament.
Last week, Declan Rice delivered two remarkable free kicks and Mikel Merino added a smart finish, leading Arsenal to a 3-0 victory in London. This result has left Real Madrid facing a steep challenge if they hope to defend their title.
Despite this daunting task, the Bernabeu has witnessed numerous miraculous comebacks by Madrid in recent years. Notably, last season, two late goals against Bayern Munich propelled them to the final, while the previous year saw Rodrygo net two goals in quick succession, forcing extra time against Manchester City when they seemed out of contention, as reported by Xinhua.
There’s no denying that Real Madrid possesses the skill and talent required to reverse this scoreline, featuring stars like Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., and Jude Bellingham. However, the team must enhance their performance following recent outings.
Besides their loss to Arsenal, Madrid narrowly won 1-0 against struggling Alaves last Saturday, and the previous weekend, they suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Valencia.
Midfielder Dani Ceballos may return from injury, and Aurelien Tchouameni is expected to be back after serving a suspension. Coach Carlo Ancelotti will likely position Fran Garcia at left-back, considering David Alaba struggled against Bukayo Saka. Lucas Vazquez is set to play right-back to allow Fede Valverde to inject more energy into the midfield, possibly at the expense of Luka Modric, who may sit on the bench.
On the other side, Arsenal's injury woes deepened with Thomas Partey facing a potential absence after an injury during their 1-1 draw against Brentford on Saturday. Jorginho is also a doubt due to a heavy blow to the ribs, while Gabriel, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus are long-term sidelined.
Although Arsenal is favored to advance, coach Mikel Arteta understands that a goal from Madrid could ignite hope, making it crucial for his team to maintain composure during what promises to be a challenging night.
