- Real Madrid lost 3-0 to Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
- Coach Carlo Ancelotti takes responsibility, calls comeback chances “very low.”
- Ancelotti says team collapsed mentally and physically after free-kick goals.
- Luka Modric equals Karim Benzema’s record for Real Madrid Champions League appearances.
- Arsenal’s win secures a fifth Champions League spot for the Premier League in 2025/26.
Ancelotti Accepts Blame as Real Madrid Faces Uphill Battle After 3-0 Arsenal Defeat
Madrid, Spain – Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has taken full responsibility for his team’s disappointing 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash. Speaking after the match, Ancelotti conceded that the chances of his side progressing to the semi-finals are now “very low.”
“Tough defeat, obviously, we didn’t expect this,” Ancelotti told ‘Movistar’. He explained that while the team was organized in the first half, “after the two free-kick goals, the team collapsed a bit mentally and physically. It was difficult to finish the game like that. Normally, this team has the reaction, but in the last thirty minutes they were very bad.”
Ancelotti Takes Full Responsibility
When directly asked if he felt responsible for the heavy defeat, the experienced Italian coach was unequivocal: “There is no doubt.” This admission underscores the pressure on Ancelotti to find a solution ahead of the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Comeback Chances Slim but Not Zero
Despite the significant deficit, Ancelotti insisted that Real Madrid would not give up hope. “The chances are very low, but we have to try. We are going to try in every way. Let’s see if we are able to do it. The comeback starts tonight. The result is complicated to come back, but we have done things well, we could have taken the lead in the first half. We worked hard and physically we were at a very high level.”
Ancelotti also acknowledged the unpredictable nature of football, adding, “If you watch today’s game it looks like there is no chance, but football changes very quickly.” He referenced the numerous comebacks that have occurred at the Bernabeu throughout Real Madrid’s illustrious history in the competition.
Player Reactions Reflect Disappointment and Determination
Real Madrid players also shared their thoughts after the humbling defeat. Kylian Mbappe stated, “The comeback is possible, of course. We have to believe until the end.” Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois suggested that the team “forgot to play good football” in the second half but remained confident, saying, “If we score one or two quick goals, the third one will come on its own. It’s possible to come back, but it’s not a good start.”
Midfielder Jude Bellingham admitted Arsenal “could have scored more” and that “there are no excuses.” However, he echoed the sentiment of hope, saying, “There’s a second game and that’s what we’re clinging to. We need something really special, something crazy, but a place where crazy things happen is our home.”
Modric Reaches Milestone Amidst Defeat
In a bittersweet moment, veteran midfielder Luka Modric equaled Karim Benzema for the second-most Champions League appearances for Real Madrid during the match against Arsenal. This milestone in his decorated career was overshadowed by the team’s heavy loss.
Premier League Gains Extra Champions League Spot
The victory for Arsenal not only puts them in a strong position to reach the Champions League semi-finals but also has significant implications for English football. Their 3-0 win guarantees the Premier League will have five qualifying places for the 2025/26 edition of the tournament, thanks to England’s strong UEFA coefficient ranking.
The return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday will be a crucial test for Real Madrid as they attempt to overcome this significant three-goal deficit against a dominant Arsenal side.