Real Madrid face a monumental challenge as they welcome Arsenal to the Santiago Bernabéu for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final. After a heavy 3-0 defeat in London, many have written off Los Blancos. However, history warns against underestimating the kings of European comebacks.
Real Madrid have overturned a first-leg deficit 25 times in UEFA competitions, a record unmatched across the continent. While the odds are steep, the club’s pedigree in the tournament keeps hope alive.
Overturning a three-goal deficit is rare in the Champions League era, but not impossible, with only four teams in history ever managing to progress after losing the first leg by three goals:
Deportivo La Coruña vs AC Milan (2003/04) – Lost 4-1 away, won 4-0 at home
Barcelona vs PSG (2016/17) – Lost 4-0 away, won 6-1 at home
Roma vs Barcelona (2017/18) – Lost 4-1 away, won 3-0 at home
Liverpool vs Barcelona (2018/19) – Lost 3-0 away, won 4-0 at home
Real Madrid will be aiming to join that exclusive club – but this time, the opponent is Arsenal, a side in terrific form. Mikel Arteta’s side are in superb form and arrive in Madrid unbeaten in their last nine competitive matches, with four wins and five draws.
In fact, Arsenal haven’t conceded more than once in any of their last nine UCL away matches, letting in exactly one goal in eight of them. Their recent record against La Liga opposition is impressive too, with six victories from their last eight encounters. And historically, Arsenal have also shown an ability to manage ties after a first-leg win at home, having progressed from 18 of the 20 UEFA ties in which they’ve taken a first-leg lead at Emirates.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, come into this second leg with just one win from their last four competitive fixtures. Their recent European record against Premier League sides is also concerning, with their last three Champions League eliminations coming at the hands of English clubs — Manchester City in 2020 and 2023, and Chelsea in 2021. Still, a fast start and early goal could shift the momentum dramatically, turning this tie into a tense and open affair.