Real Madrid’s chances of making it to the Champions League semi-finals were dimened by a remarkable 3-0 loss at Arsenal on Tuesday, but Carlo Ancelotti cautioned that the current champions might yet conjure magic at home.
Declan Rice made two outstanding free kicks, and Mikel Merino finished strong to leave the 15-time European champions reeling and with a lot to climb in Madrid next week.
Though they have won some games this season, Real’s poor performance—rarely dangerous in attack and disorganised in defense—was more concerning than the outcome.
“This team usually gets better at the end,” Ancelotti told reporters. It was terrible and unimpressive. Criticise ourselves and try to bounce back next week.”
Although the Italian said his players “were not bad throughout large stretches of the game” he knew they had to improve if they were to have any chance.
Though over 50 years ago against Derby County in the European Cup, Real has overturned a three-goal first-leg deficit and have a history of shocking comebacks, particularly at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Although Real’s prospects in the second leg were unknown, Ancelotti cautioned Arsenal the tie was not finished.
“We have to try 100% even though the possibilities (of qualifying) are rather limited.” he remarked. “We have to do all we can; it’s an opportunity to show a reaction to a poor game.”
He then said: “Tonight’s game makes it impossible. but football changes. Nobody expected Rice to generate two set-piece goals.
Football is a game where anything can happen. We have to believe and trust as that happened frequently in the Bernabeu.
