Can Real Madrid Stage an Epic UCL Comeback: Los Blancos Might Just Do It Again!
Real Madrid is the undisputed most decorated club in the UEFA Champions League history, with a whopping 15 Champions League titles. They are on another level when it comes to this competition as it runs in the club's DNA. They have shed blood, sweat, and tears to gain this reputation as the kings of the highest tier of European club competition. They have dominated in some seasons to win but have also built a reputation of being able to turn the most impossible odds into unexpected outcomes that are in their favor. So when we look at Real Madrid’s current situation in the current iteration of the UCL, being down by three goals to Arsenal in the first leg of the Quarter Finals. Does Real Madrid continue that fighting spirit and overcome this deficit to make it to the next round?
When Has Real Madrid Done This Before?
Los Blancos have been in similar or worse spots before in the UCL and have come out on top. Let's take a look at some notable matchups where Real Madrid has had to pull off the second leg comeback to advance. In the 2021-2022 UCL Round of 16, Real Madrid was down 1-0 in the first leg versus PSG. In the second leg, Real Madrid ended up winning 3-1 with a hat trick from club legend Karim Benzema. This made the aggregate score 3-2 to Los Blancos, advancing them to the Quarter Finals. They ended up champions of Europe that year as well.
In the same iteration of the UCL during the Semi-Finals where Real Madrid faced off versus Manchester City, they lost the first leg with a scoreline of 4-3. Even during the second leg of the matchup, they were down on an aggregate scoreline of 5-3 until the 90th minute when Rodrygo fired two crucial goals in the 90th and 91st minute which tied up the scoreline 5-5. Then in extra time, Manchester City was eliminated with a decisive goal to win the game 3-1 with the aggregate scoreline of the Semi Final being 6-5. The most iconic example of this ability of Los Blancos to pull off clutch wins when their back is against the wall is when Real Madrid won their 10th Champions League title versus Atletico Madrid during the Finals. Their city rivals were ahead 1-0 for the majority of the game until another forever loved club legend Sergio Ramos equalized the game with a goal that relieved the breaths of Real Madrid’s fandom. This goal which is remembered even now forced the Finals into extra time where the Welsh icon Gareth Bale broke the deadlock in the 110th minute to put Los Blancos ahead 2-1, with Marcelo adding to the lead in the 118th minute and Cristiano Ronaldo putting the final nail in the coffin in the 120th minute which killed Atletico Madrid’s UCL dreams that season.
How Can Los Blancos Pull It Off Again?
Real Madrid can very well pull off another clutch comeback in this second leg versus Arsenal. The firepower in their offense is there. Los Blancos have the likes of Kylian Mbappé, the forward who many see to be the heir of Cristiano Ronaldo in Real Madrid’s current squad. They also have other explosive players like Vinicius Júnior who is loved by the fans but has also had a history of being a protagonist for the Real Madrid offense in the Champions League ever since he has been a part of this glorious club. The midfield is packed with quality players for Los Blancos, such as the English star Jude Bellingham, who showed his quality in all competitions in his debut season for Real Madrid as well as in this season where he also has been a star player for this squad. They also have the wise magician midfielder Luka Modrić, who has been at this club for over 10 seasons and has been winning trophies left and right while being an essential piece of the midfield and in general a director of how Real Madrid paces their games. This player is a reference for the younger players to be able to handle the pressure of having their backs against the wall and find a way out of that situation and through it. Carlo Ancelotti, the head coach of Los Blancos needs to find a way to stop the goals from bleeding in so that the midfield and forwards can do what they know how to do best, which is control the game and score goals. Real Madrid can overcome this deficit if they lock in fully and get into the zone where they fully play up to their standards and potential.
