Carlo Ancelotti believes the “special atmosphere” at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu can help Real Madrid stage an extraordinary comeback against Arsenal in the Uefa Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Los Blancos face the mountainous task of overturning a three-goal deficit after conceding a pair of stupendous Declan Rice free-kicks and a late goal from Mikel Merino without reply in the away leg.
Real have been resurrected on numerous occasions in the competition over the years, most memorably against Premier League sides, on their way to glory. But Ancelotti knows that everything needs to go right if they are do so one more time.
Carlo Ancelotti comments on potential Real Madrid comeback vs Arsenal
“We have the quality to turn this tie around, along with the commitment, the experience and the fans,” the Italian told his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
“The resources are there, and now it’s time to bring our best. Mentally we’re doing very well, and we have to have good control of the game.”
Real will at least have home advantage in the second leg, which could play a crucial role in this encounter.
“The Santiago Bernabeu has magic, and everyone knows it’s a special atmosphere,” Ancelotti said.
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“Tomorrow we need a bit of everything – quality and a complete performance, both physically and collectively. Not one of these things can go wrong.
“The motivation is there, and now I want the players to be calm before the game. I’m clear that we’re going to give it our all.”
Asked if Real need to score early to have any chance of mounting a comeback, Ancelotti responded: “I don’t think so. Of course, scoring early is an important part of the game. But the most important part for me is to have the control of the game.
“It’s about trying your best at the beginning to have that control and when you have that, you can score any minute.”
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