Remontada!
The Spanish word meaning turnaround has been on the lips of Real Madrid fans for seven days, ever since the heavy defeat to Arsenal in London (3:0) in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
By far the most trophy-laden European club (15 European Championship trophies) has staged many miracles and comebacks throughout its glorious history, but the feat it wants to perform tonight has not been achieved yet!
They have only overturned a deficit of more than three goals once, 50 years ago, in the round of XNUMX against the English WBA, but not at this level, against such a rival, on the stage that will be at the "Santiago Bernabeu" tonight.
It's clear what a feat the team has to perform. Carlo Ancelotti, which was written off by bookmakers, analytical and statistical companies, and supercomputers (they give it only a five percent chance of passing).
However, if anyone is capable of directing a miracle, it is Ancelotti's Real.
The Italian said in the match announcement that he wanted his team to change their way of thinking and play a serious game, and then quoted the best Spanish tennis player. Carlos Alcaraz, which he wants to serve as an inspiration to his players.
"With my head and my heart and my soul," said Ancelotti.
"What do we need for a miracle? A little bit of everything: quality and a complete game, both physically and as a team. None of that can fail."
Midfielder Jude Bellingham says that tonight is “made for Real Madrid”.
"A night that would go down in history, but also something that people in this part of the world are already well aware of. We hope we can add another special night," said Bellingham.
Arsenal are calm, determined, aware of their quality, aware that the 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg did not come by chance.
Trainer Mikel Arteta He urged his players to be brave and believe in themselves to deny Real any chance.
"We approach the match with the desire to win. Just like we did in London," Arteta said at a press conference.
"Real Madrid will try to take us to places we don't want to go. I understand that, because it's part of their history and they have the right to talk about these comeback scenarios. We have to show a winning mindset to win. To be brave, to be dominant and decisive," said Arteta.
The result offers even greater uncertainty in the second leg, although the home team has the advantage - Inter awaits Bayern and leads 2:1 after the first leg.
However, everything is far from being resolved.
The “non-racial” coach Simone Inzaghi He says that his team must forget the result from the first game.
"In just over 24 hours we will have to pass another test against, in my opinion, along with Real Madrid, the strongest team in the world. Bayern are strong, full of talent, with a coach whom I respected a lot when he was a player," Inzaghi said in the match preview.
Bayern coach Vincent Company hopes to experience a magnificent European evening.
"Sometimes there are special nights, I believe this one will be ours," the Belgian said at a press conference.
"We had our chances in the last game. We hope we will have opportunities again."
Bayern had close to 60 percent of the possession in the first game, with 20 shots on goal. However, despite the tie Thomas Miller in the 85th minute, the Bavarians conceded a goal in the 88th minute from Davide Fratezi which will significantly complicate their rematch.
The German giant is severely weakened again, with no injuries Musiale, Davies, Upamecano i Eng, as well as the goalkeeper Neuer.
"We are missing key players, but despite that, we are 100 percent confident we can get through," Kompany added.
The winner of this duel will play in the semi-finals against Barcelona. An additional motive for the Bavarians is the fact that the Champions League final is being played at their stadium, the Allianz Arena.
- We have to win and we don't have to be too philosophical about it. You play every game to win, regardless of the result of the first game.
Bonus video:
