Real Madrid are bullish in their belief they can pull off another historic Champions League comeback in the second leg of their quarter-final with Arsenal.
The Gunners are leading 3-0 from the first leg at Emirates Stadium but Real Madrid are confident they can defy the odds and deny Arsenal a first semi-final appearance since 2009.
“Comeback has been the most repeated word in the dressing room. I’ve heard it a million times,” said Jude Bellingham. “It’s a night made for Real Madrid.”
But here, Standard Sport looks at three reasons why Arsenal should be confident they can stop another Real Madrid another ‘remontada’…
Real Madrid’s leaky defence
Much has been made of Real Madrid’s lethal attack, but they have looked vulnerable at the back this season.
They have shipped 31 goals in La Liga this season, which is more than anyone else in the top four in Spain.
Real Madrid kept a clean sheet in their 1-0 win against Alaves on Saturday but before that their last one was on February 26.
Carlo Ancelotti has bemoaned the side’s inability to press from the front and Arsenal could take advantage of any lacklustre defending.
Partey is fit
Declan Rice earned plenty of plaudits after the first leg, but Thomas Partey also caught the eye with an excellent performance in the middle of the park.
There had been concerns Partey could miss the second leg on after he went off with 20 minutes against Brentford on Saturday.
Partey is fit, though, and Arsenal will be hoping he can recreate his performance from the first leg, where only Jurrien Timber bettered his tally of interceptions and tackles.
History is on Arsenal’s side
Arsenal are in a commanding position after the first leg and they will be confident of getting over the line.
There have been 47 instances of a team taking a lead of three or more goals into the second leg of a Champions League tie and on only four occasions has that margin been overturned.
Arsenal’s 3-0 win last week was also the 12th time an English side have won by three or more goals in the first leg of a Champions League knockout tie. On each of the 11 previous occasions, the Premier League team went through.
The Gunners have also had a three-goal cushion after the first leg of a European tie 13 times - and they have progressed every time.
