Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has admitted the squad is confident of getting the job done when they host English side Arsenal in their UCL quarterfinal second leg clash on Wednesday.
The European champions must overturn a 3-0 deficit from the first leg, if they are to have any chance of retaining the crown they won last June in Wembley.
England midfielder Declan Rice scored two sublime freekicks with stand-in striker Mikel Merino adding a superb third, to put the Gunners in pole position of advancing to the semifinals.
Speaking ahead of the game, Bellingham has stated that there is a growing belief in the club’s camp as they attempt to pull off a remarkable comeback.
“After the game it’s complicated, but as you see the confidence you have, you feel part of it all. This is contagious and makes you feel much more confident with the situation you are in. I would say it was immediate. When we were on the bus we were not like we are now, but we already believed in ourselves”, the 21-year old said.
“The most repeated word in the dressing room is remontada(comeback). I’ve heard it about a million times in the last week. This motivates us a lot. It’s a night that is tailor-made for Real Madrid. I don’t think we can add anything more special to that.”
Real Madrid have advanced to the last four of the previous four editions of the competitions and must score four unreplied goals, to stand a chance of continuing the feat.
“At the Bernabéu there is always an incredible atmosphere, the energy is contagious. We can feel it, it brings out the best in us. We shouldn’t ask the Madridistas to do anything they haven’t always done. It’s up to us, we also have to feel their energy and give it our all to make them proud.
We are capable of doing things very well regardless of the bad moments. We have to be confident in our chances. It has to do not only with history, but also with the day-to-day”, Bellingham added.
Real Madrid host Arsenal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night, with the winner of the tie facing either French champions PSG or English side Aston Villa in the semifinal.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
