Jude Bellingham is ready to make history when Real Madrid entertain Arsenal in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.
The Gunners stunned the 15-time winners in the opening leg, winning 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium to put themselves in a terrific position to reach the semi-finals.
Real have done just about all there is to do in this competition over the course of their illustrious history, including some unforgettable comebacks when all seemed lost.
Indeed, no club has successfully rebounded from at least two goals down in the first leg of a European knockout tie as much as the Spanish giants, doing so nine times.
Los Blancos need to score at least three goals and not concede any to have a chance of adding to the comeback column, although finding the net has been a problem of late. They’ve only managed two goals in their last three matches in all competitions, winning just one and losing the other two.
Recent form matters little on nights like these for Real, and Bellingham certainly isn’t going to worry about it.
“It’s a different night,” the England international said at Tuesday’s press conference. “We’ve been underwhelming in some games but found a way to win.
“We’re required to score goals tomorrow and we’ve got to live up to that. Worrying about if we’ve scored more than one goal in recent games, that’s not a concern of ours.”
Arsenal showdown is ‘a night that’s made for Real Madrid’
The history of the club is impossible for the players to ignore, but it’s also what instills in them the belief that anything is possible in the Champions League.
“I’ve heard it a million times since last week, I’ve seen a million videos – it’s really motivating stuff,” Bellingham said.
“It’s a night that’s made for Real Madrid. A night that would go down in history but also something that people are familiar with around this part of this world.
“Hopefully we can add another special night.”
It’s been 49 years since Real last overturned a three-goal deficit from the first leg of a European Cup tie. Ominously for Arsenal that also came against English opposition in the form of Derby County. At the same time, the north London outfit have never lost to Madrid.
Ancelotti – Bernabeu ‘magic’ can inspire Real Madrid comeback against Arsenal
“There’s not a lot you can do for Real Madrid in the Champions League that hasn’t already been done, tomorrow is an opportunity for us to do something for the first time so that’s really important to us,” Bellingham added.
“I think there’s an expectation of Real Madrid that when we get in these holes we can come back.
“In England it’s not as common but it does happen. The club have done it so many times, so the expectations are huge.”
Read – Arteta leads bizarre Arsenal training session ahead of Real Madrid trip
See Also – Segundo Castillo, Onana’s misguided spat and Amorim’s glare
Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
