'Anything is possible,' Madrid site warns Arsenal
Written by I Dig Sports
Real Madrid's website defiantly told fans that "anything is possible" before they attempt to overcome a three-goal deficit to Arsenal in the Champions League.
A video showed Madrid's memorable comebacks in recent years, mentioning the "team of dreams" and the club's achievements "in this stadium, in this competition."
"Bernabéu, again," was the headline on the website ahead of the second leg of the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Madrid lost the first leg 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium last week. Only four times has a home team erased a first-leg deficit of three goals or more, according to UEFA.
Madrid rival Barcelona recovered after a 4-0 loss at Paris Saint-Germain with a historic 6-1 home victory in the round of 16 in the 2016-17 season. In the 2018-19 semifinals, Liverpool lost 3-0 at Barcelona but advanced with a 4-0 home victory. A season earlier in the quarterfinals, Barçawere involved again -- after beating Roma 4-1 at home, they lost the second leg 3-0 in the Italian capital.
The only other three-goal comeback by the home team came in 2004 in the quarterfinals, when Spanish club Deportivo La Coruna lost 4-1 at AC Milan and then won 4-0 at home to advance.
Madrid have a recent history of comebacks in the Champions League that has given fans hope of another magical night at the Bernabéu.
Madrid won their 14th Champions League title in 2022 after rallying their way through the knockout rounds. They looked beaten at the Bernabéu in the round of 16 against PSG, in the quarterfinals against Chelsea and in the semifinals against Manchester City, but every time they found a way to advance.
Against City, Madrid needed two late goals by forward Rodrygo -- in the 90th minute and in stoppage time -- to force extra time, when Karim Benzema converted a decisive penalty kick to put Madrid in the final, where they beat Liverpool.
"Real Madrid are the only team that has done it many times, but we'll try to do it once again," coach Carlo Ancelotti said last week. "We're aware of how much our fans and the stadium can help us. We're going to try until the last minute and until the last ball, starting tomorrow."
Arsenal haven't conceded three or more goals in nearly 80 matches across all competitions, since a 4-3 win at Luton in the Premier League in December 2023.
The English side last overcame Madrid in the Champions League knockout stage in 2005-06, when they reached the final and eventually lost the title to Barcelona.
Arsenal are looking to reach the European semifinals for the first time since 2009, when they were eliminated by Manchester United.
Madrid will be without midfielder Eduardo Camavinga on Wednesday because of a red card late in the first leg.