What could have been a memorable night for Real Madrid turned into a nightmare, as Arsenal—powered by two sensational free-kicks from Declan Rice—thrashed the European champions 3-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
The defeat not only cast doubts over Real Madrid’s title credentials but also raised serious concerns about their defensive setup, particularly after conceding all three goals. To add to the visitors’ woes, Eduardo Camavinga was shown a red card for kicking the ball away moments before Mikel Merino netted the third goal in the dying minutes.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti gave an honest assessment of the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal, acknowledging that the team struggled both mentally and physically. He admitted that the overall performance declined significantly after conceding the two goals from free-kicks.
When asked about the upcoming second leg against Arsenal at home, Ancelotti stressed the importance of giving their all, saying, “We have to try to give 100%. It’s a chance to respond after a poor performance.” He also praised Arsenal for their sharp and clinical finishing in Real Madrid’s defensive third.
Following the disappointing result, the Spanish media have voiced their discontent with Carlo Ancelotti. Despite his impressive haul of 15 trophies with Los Blancos, including three Champions League titles, the recent loss to Arsenal has undoubtedly tarnished his reputation.
The night also saw Striker Jude Bellingham being largely anonymus and Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior posted only little threat after a promising start. David Raya was also brave enough in front of goal to deny the Real’s star-studded attack any chance.
The second leg of the UEFA Champions League between Arsenal and Real Madrid is scheduled to take place at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on April 17.
