Before the first kick, it was unthinkable. Perennial European champions were up against an Arsenal team that have never won the Champions League. The script, for many, was already written – Real Madrid will defeat the Gunners. It was only a matter of how many goals the Galaticos would score in North London. But after 75 minutes, the score board read differently: Arsenal 3- Real Madrid 0!
It only took Declan Rice’s free-kick masterclass and a cool finish from Mikel Merino to send the Emirates crowd into raptures in a night that would go down in the Gunners’ folklore. Arsenal doing the unthinkable by defeating the reigning European champions gives them one leg into the semi-final of the competition.
Despite the deficit, Real Madrid believe a miracle will happen in the return fixture at the Santiago Benabeu, referencing past comebacks. That reverse game on Wednesday will define many things about an Arsenal side yearning for their first Champions League crown. The big question is: can Real Madrid pull off a remontada – comeback?
Toni Kroos lays down the ideal plan for Real Madrid to turn it around vs Arsenal
Real Madrid’s first leg showdown against Arsenal was an utterly disgusting display of football for Los Blancos fans to witness. The game was an abomination in the face of the visitors that they would remember for weeks if not months.
Arsenal completely outperformed Real Madrid on all tactical fronts, including individual player performances. And the second leg at Santiago Bernabeu is much awaited right now. A widespread consensus on an expected return is neither novel nor silly.
Real Madrid have a history of turning things around for the better. They are famed for comebacks and late-arriving goals that were unattainable until they were achieved. It is, so to speak, in Los Blancos’ DNA.
Toni Kroos suggests the plan for Real Madrid to make a comeback
Toni Kroos is a legend who has been involved in several spectacular comebacks in recent years. His contribution to the club is not new, either. He understands what it takes to make a return at a critical stage in the world’s most prestigious club title. He understands what is at risk, and he knows which locks to unlock in order to perform the perfect counterattack.
In his podcast Einfach mal Luppen, the former midfielder discussed the first leg versus Arsenal and expressed his thoughts on it. He discussed the prospect of a comeback and sketched out a draft strategy for the squad to pursue.
Kroos said, “The emotional factor will be a huge decider vs Arsenal. The team has to decide it in the first 15 minutes. That’s how it should go ideally. You need to make Arsenal, who have no UCL Quarter-Final experience, especially not in Madrid, think: ‘woah, it’s not over yet’.”
The foregoing comment by the German contains just pragmatism and truth. Among all the buzz about a motivational video being made, Kroos’ proposal appears to be the most realistic and game-oriented. It is true that Real Madrid will undoubtedly execute a comeback if they score one or two goals in the first fifteen minutes of the match.
Arsenal has never experienced Champions League triumph, while Real Madrid reign supreme. The second leg cannot be released so simply.
