On the eve of the clash, Real Madrid’s official website struck a defiant tone, declaring “anything is possible” alongside a stirring video montage of past European miracles. The message was clear: at the Santiago Bernabéu, history has a way of repeating itself.
The Mountain to Climb
No team has overturned a three-goal first-leg deficit in this season’s Champions League, and only four home teams have ever achieved the feat in the competition’s history. Yet Madrid, the tournament’s most decorated club (15 titles), has built its legacy on defying the odds.
- 2016-17: Barcelona’s "Remontada" vs. PSG (6-1 after a 4-0 loss)
- 2018-19: Liverpool’s stunning 4-0 rebound vs. Barcelona (after a 3-0 defeat)
- 2017-18: Roma’s shock 3-0 upset of Barcelona (overturning a 4-1 deficit)
- 2003-04: Deportivo La Coruña’s 4-0 stunner vs. AC Milan (after a 4-1 loss)
Comeback Kings: Madrid’s Recent Heroics
Just two years ago, Madrid’s path to their 14th Champions League title was paved with late drama:
- Round of 16 vs. PSG: Down 2-0 on aggregate until a Benzema hat-trick in 17 minutes.
- Quarterfinals vs. Chelsea: Trailed 3-0 before Rodrygo and Benzema rescued them in extra time.
- Semifinals vs. Man City: Rodrygo’s two goals in 90 seconds forced ET, where Benzema sealed it.
"The fans will be very important," said manager Carlo Ancelotti. "Their push has saved us before. We have the quality, the experience, and the belief. Will we do it? I don’t know—but we’ll fight until the end."
Arsenal’s Steel vs. Madrid’s Belief
The Gunners, however, are no pushovers:
- 80 games since they last conceded 3+ goals (a 4-3 win at Luton in December 2023).
- Zero away losses in this UCL campaign.
- Hungry for revenge: Their last knockout win over Madrid was in 2006—a run that ended in final heartbreak vs. Barcelona.
Key Absences and X-Factors
Madrid: Missing Camavinga (suspended), but Mbappé—fresh off a La Liga red card—is primed to start. "He’s furious and ready," said Ancelotti.
Arsenal: Seeking their first UCL semifinal since 2009, Arteta’s young squad must withstand the Bernabéu’s pressure cooker.
The Stakes
For Madrid, it’s about legacy. For Arsenal, it’s about ending an era of European frustration. One thing’s certain: the Bernabéu will be a cauldron of noise, hope, and sheer desperation.
Can Madrid summon another miracle? Or will Arsenal’s defense hold firm? The world watches—because in this stadium, in this competition, nothing is ever impossible.