Arsenal handed Real Madrid a crushing 3-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal matchup, putting the Spanish giants in a difficult position heading into the return leg. With four days to go before the decisive match at the Santiago Bernabeu, manager Carlo Ancelotti delivered a key message to his squad and the fans.
Madrid’s performance in London fell short of expectations—lacking creativity, producing few clear-cut chances, and displaying a defensive vulnerability that plagued them throughout the 90 minutes. When asked whether his side can pull off a comeback, Ancelotti responded with honesty and resolve:
“I don’t know… but we’ll try, we’ll try. Real Madrid is the only team that has done it many times… and we’ll try one more time. We are aware of how much our fans and our stadium can help us. We’ve done it many times before, and I say this: we’ll try until the last minute, until the last ball. Starting tomorrow,” the Italian boss said on Saturday’s press conference.
Before the second leg, Real Madrid will visit 17th-placed Deportivo Alaves in La Liga on Sunday—a matchup where they are heavily favored. Still, Ancelotti stressed the importance of securing a positive result to build momentum ahead of the Arsenal clash.
Historically, Real Madrid have never overturned a three-goal deficit in the Champions League, leading many to question whether such a comeback is realistic. When asked what gives the team belief, Ancelotti was clear: “That we have the resources to try.”
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Ancelotti and his future at Real Madrid
A string of poor results and inconsistent performances from key players has reignited speculation about Ancelotti’s future at the club. Reports linking him with a move to the Brazilian national team have resurfaced, and the coach was asked whether he still feels the club supports him.
“Well, that’s a question I shouldn’t be the one to answer, because the contract is quite clear: I have one more year left. We’ll talk about the future at the end of the season, as always. I have nothing more to add in that regard. The club always helps me… and supports me. Especially in difficult moments.”
Despite trailing Arsenal 3-0, Real Madrid remain alive in three competitions—Champions League, La Liga, and Copa del Rey. However, a trophyless season could weigh heavily on Ancelotti’s future at the helm.
