Difficult, but not impossible. That is the mission facing Real Madrid tonight as they look for a place in the semifinals. The white team suffered a real debacle against Arsenal in London. Mikel Arteta’s side thrashed the Madridistas 3-0 and they will have to achieve a miracle at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Ancelotti acknowledged after the defeat that the tie has become very difficult and that it will be very difficult to come back this Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabéu. The three-goal difference seems like a big difference to experience a magical night at the White Fiefdom, but they hope to turn around a tie that seems lost.
Real Madrid have lost six times in their history in the first leg of a knockout round in European competition by a three-goal margin and, despite needing a miracle to turn it around, they have done so three times, 50%. These are old precedents and it is time to write a recent page in the history of comebacks. The squad believes and it remains to be seen if they prove it on the pitch tonight.
If they pull off the miracle, Real Madrid will face PSG, who qualified for the semifinals last night and await their rival in the Santiago Bernabéu match. PSG made it through to the semifinals on Tuesday after a tough game against Aston Villa at Villa Park (3-2). They made it through thanks to the match at the Parc des Princes (3-1).
Only Donnarumma’s great performance prevented the English team from going through to the next round in the top continental competition. The Italian goalkeeper made several providential saves when the tie was one goal away.
The first leg of the semi-finals with PSG playing away to Real Madrid or Arsenal will be played on Tuesday April 29 or Wednesday 30 at a time to be confirmed (presumably at 21:00).