Remontada!

The Spanish term for turnaround has been on the minds of Real Madrid supporters for the past week, following the significant loss to Arsenal in London (3:0) during the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

As the most decorated European club with 15 Champions League titles, Real Madrid has orchestrated countless miracles and comebacks in its illustrious past. However, the challenge they aim to overcome tonight remains unparalleled!

They have only managed to reverse a deficit of more than three goals once, half a century ago, in the quarter-finals against English club WBA, but never at this level against such an opponent, particularly at the “Santiago Bernabeu” tonight.

The task ahead is daunting. Carlo Ancelotti has been deemed unlikely to succeed by bookmakers, analytics firms, and supercomputers, which give them just a five percent chance of progressing.

Yet, if anyone can conjure a miracle, it’s Ancelotti’s side.

The Italian coach stated ahead of the match that he urges his team to shift their mindset and play with seriousness, drawing inspiration from the best Spanish tennis player, Carlos Alcaraz.

“With my head, my heart, and my soul,” Ancelotti expressed.

“What do we need for a miracle? A blend of factors: both quality and a comprehensive team performance, along with physical readiness. Every element must be in place.”

Midfielder Jude Bellingham believes that tonight is “made for Real Madrid”.

“This is a night that could be historic, and it’s something folks in this region already understand. We aim to create another special evening,” Bellingham remarked.

Arsenal, meanwhile, is calm and focused, confident in their quality and aware that their 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the first leg was no fluke.

Manager Mikel Arteta urged his squad to maintain their bravery and self-belief to deny Real any opportunity.

“We approach this match eager to win, just as we did in London,” Arteta stated during a press conference.

“Real Madrid will undoubtedly try to take us to uncomfortable places—it’s part of their legacy, and they have earned the right to discuss comeback scenarios. We must display a winning mentality to succeed. We need to be courageous, assertive, and decisive,” Arteta emphasized.

The result introduces further uncertainty for the second leg, though the home side has the edge—Inter is facing Bayern and leads 2:1 after the first leg.

However, resolution is still far from certain.

The tactician Simone Inzaghi insists that his team must put the first game’s outcome behind them.

“In little over 24 hours, we must face another challenge against what I believe is, alongside Real Madrid, the strongest team in the world. Bayern is robust, full of talent, and has a coach I hold in high regard from his playing days,” Inzaghi remarked in the match preview.

Bayern’s coach Vincent Kompany looks forward to a memorable European night.

“Occasionally, special nights arise, and I believe this one will be ours,” the Belgian stated in a press conference.

“We had our opportunities in the last match, and we hope to create chances again.”

Bayern controlled nearly 60 percent of possession in the first encounter and took 20 shots on goal. Yet, following Thomas Müller’s equalizer in the 85th minute, they conceded a goal to Davide Fratezi in the 88th, complicating their return match significantly.

The German powerhouse is again severely depleted, missing key players Musiala, Davies, Upamecano, Eng, and the goalkeeper Neuer.

“Despite lacking crucial players, we are completely confident we can progress,” Kompany added.

The victor of this clash will meet Barcelona in the semi-finals. An added motivation for Bayern is that the Champions League final will take place at their home ground, the Allianz Arena.

– We must win and refrain from overthinking. Every match is played to secure a victory, irrespective of the first game’s result.

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