Jude Bellingham says the possibility of a historic Champions League comeback against Arsenal is a challenge ‘tailor-made’ for Real Madrid.
The Spanish side trail 3-0 following last week’s first leg defeat in London but will still believe they can progress to the semi-final stage, having enjoyed multiple comebacks in the knockout stages in recent seasons.
In 2021-22, Madrid came from 2-0 down on aggregate to eliminate Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 and defeated Manchester City in the last four, despite trailing 5-3 on aggregate going into the final minute of the second leg.
Bellingham, who was part of the Madrid squad that won the 2023-24 Champions League following two late goals to eliminate Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, was asked ahead of Arsenal’s visit what the most-repeated word in the dressing room was this week.
“‘Remontada’ (Spanish for comeback),” Bellingham said. “Honestly, I’ve heard it a million times this week, I’ve seen a lot of videos on social media, and I’ve also heard it from you, the press.
“It’s a night tailor-made for Madrid.”
Bellingham was then asked at what point Madrid’s players began believing in the possibility of a comeback.
“Honestly, after the game it’s complicated because you have that difficult moment, analysing what you haven’t done well,” the England international said.
“But as you talk about it and you see the confidence you get into all that. We have had previous experiences. These feelings are contagious. It was almost immediate, on the bus, even though we weren’t like we are now.”
Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti called on his side to play “with our heads, with heart and with guts”, while also speaking of the importance of using a “cool head”.
“Madrid have all the resources to turn this tie around: quality, commitment, experience, the fans,” Ancelotti said.
“We have to get the best out of each and every one of us. In previous years it’s not that people said we played spectacularly, and maybe that’s true because we want to be effective rather than spectacular.”
Madrid will return to La Liga action four days after the Arsenal visit as they host Athletic Club of Bilbao.
(Jess Hornby/Getty Images)
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