Real Madrid are looking to stage one of the most remarkable Champions League comebacks of all time against Arsenal on Wednesday night.
Arsenal won the first leg 3-0 at the Emirates, courtesy of a brace of free-kicks from Declan Rice and a strike from Mikel Merino.
Despite the fact the Gunners boast an exceptional defensive record this season, the tie is far from over, with Los Blancos’ European pedigree speaking for itself.
Mikel Arteta’s men will have Thomas Partey fit for the clash in the Spanish capital, although they’ll be without the experienced Jorginho, a huge loss to a squad not well-versed in monumental occasions like this.
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Marcelo warns Arsenal about Bernabeu atmosphere ahead of Real Madrid clash
Carlo Ancelotti has a star-studded squad that you’d expect to cause Arsenal issues over two legs at his disposal.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham are capable of producing moments of individual brilliance, and the Gunners will have to be wary of the threat that they carry.
However, what might concern Mikel Arteta more than this individual talent is the intangible Champions League mystique and aura around Real Madrid, and the atmosphere the La Casa Blanca faithful will generate inside the Bernabeu.
Speaking on this to ESPN, Real Madrid legend Marcelo said: “You can never write off Real Madrid. Although three goals is a lot of goals, I am always thinking about Real Madrid and have a lot of faith that they’ll come back.
“Real Madrid is Real Madrid and they always come back.
“The return leg is at the Bernabéu, the fans will push hard and the players are confident it can happen. Of course, we don’t know what will happen, we have faith and Real Madrid will come back.
“I think that from the moment we joined Real Madrid, we’re taught to never give up, and that’s always been in our blood.
“It’s been like this for many years, and apart from the DNA, it’s hard work, humility, daily dedication, and the support of the fans as well. It’s all part of making things work.”
Arsenal need to stop Rodrygo against Real Madrid
Ancelotti made the tactical blunder of deploying Rodrygo extremely deep to allow Vinicius and Mbappe to play higher up the pitch in the first leg.
The Italian ought to have looked to exploit Arsenal’s weaker left-hand side by isolating Rodrygo against the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Jakub Kiwior.
Instead, the Brazilian was rendered completely redundant as an offensive force, while Jurrien Timber and William Saliba locked Vinicius and Mbappe down on the other side.
Ancelotti is unlikely to make this mistake again, with Rodrygo likely to be pinned to the touchline, high and wide, at the Bernabeu.
Arsenal should look to counter this by dropping Rice a little bit deeper than usual, with the Englishman covering the left-hand side.
If the Gunners do this successfully, they have a real chance of completely negating the Spanish giants.
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