Real Madrid 'weren't expecting' Arsenal Champions League humbling, but 'stranger things have happened at Bernabeu' as Carlo Ancelotti eyes comeback
Published 09/04/2025 at 08:45 GMT+1
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti gave an honest reflection of his team's latest UEFA Champions League performance, after they were beaten 3-0 against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in the first leg of the quarter-final. Declan Rice stole the show with two exceptional goals, and Ancelotti knows Los Blancos' title defence is on the brink. "The chances are pretty slim, but we have to try," he said.
Highlights: Rice magic as Arsenal stun Real Madrid on famous night
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Carlo Ancelotti said that Real Madrid "dropped off mentally and physically" in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final defeat against Arsenal, which they "weren't expecting".
Declan Rice scored two stunning free-kicks before Mikel Merino added gloss to the scoreline with a well-executed strike to give The Gunners a firm three-goal advantage to take into the second leg at the Bernabeu.
After the game, Madrid boss Ancelotti was honest in his assessment of his side's performance, which he described as a "tough loss" for the reigning champions.
"We weren't expecting this," he conceded. "The team looked pretty good and well-organised in the first half.
"Following the two set-piece goals, the team dropped off both mentally and physically. It was a difficult end to the game because we didn't see the reaction we're used to seeing from this team.
"The final 30 minutes were very poor. There are two assessments here: one that I was satisfied up to 0-0, and the other following the reaction to their goals, which was really poor."
On Arsenal, Ancelotti added: "They showed a better attitude, more quality and impressive fitness levels today.
"They did a lot of things better than us and we have to be honest with ourselves. We weren't too bad for an hour, we played pretty well in the first half."
But on his side's second-half showing, the Italian lamented: "It's hard to explain.
"There was no collective reaction, we were trying to do things individually. They controlled the ball better and managed the result."
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'We have to be honest, we have to be humble' - Bellingham reacts to Arsenal defeat
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Mikel Arteta's side will look to get the job done next week - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - when they travel to the Spanish capital for the return leg.
Jude Bellingham was bullish about his side's chances in the Bernabeu, but Ancelotti - who said he was "without a doubt" responsible for the loss - knows Los Blancos have an uphill battle if they are to continue their bid for a 16th European crown.
"We have to do everything we can to try and recover," he said.
"The chances are pretty slim, but we have to try, and we'll try and do it any way we can. Let's see if we can pull it off.
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"It feels as though there's no chance after tonight, but things always change in football. Nobody expected Arsenal to score two free-kicks, but anything can happen.
"It's very tough, but stranger things have happened at the Bernabeu."
Stream the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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