Former Real Madrid and Brazilian full-back Marcelo has warned Arsenal against writing off the reigning champions of Europe despite holding a huge lead ahead of their UEFA Champions League quarter final second-leg clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Gunner will rock up to Madrid on Wednesday, April 16 with a three goal cushion from the first-leg, thanks to a brace of sublime free-kick goals from Declan Rice and a wonderful Mikel Merino first-time finish.
However, they will face a Real Madrid side that often does the unthinkable and snatches victory from the jaws of defeat, especially in this competition. The most recent victims of their unstoppable mentality in the UCL include Manchester City in 2022 and Bayern Munich in 2023.
Marcelo, who enjoyed five European triumphs with Los Blancos, believes that the tie is far from over. Despite the heavy deficit, he expressed confidence in Madrid’s ability to turn things around at the Bernabeu.
“You can never write off Real Madrid,” Marcelo told ESPN. “Although three goals is a lot of goals, but I am always thinking about Real Madrid and have a lot of faith that they’ll come back. Real Madrid is Real Madrid and they always come back.
“The return leg is at the Bernabeu, the fans will push hard and the players are confident it can happen. Of course, we don’t know what will happen, we have faith and Real Madrid will come back.
“From the moment we join Real Madrid, we’re taught to never give up, and that’s always been in our blood. It’s been like this for many years, and apart from the DNA, it’s hard work, humility, daily dedication, and the support of the fans as well. It’s all part of making things work.”
While it is definitely a big ask of any team including Real Madrid, overturning their three goal deficit is not impossible. The likes of Barcelona (4 goals vs PSG), Roma (3 goals vs Barcelona) and Liverpool (3 goals vs Barcelona) have done it in the past.
Olaoluwa is a dedicated sports writer and passionate football enthusiast with two years of experience. Known for his keen analysis and commitment to the game, his work reflects a deep love for football, blending strategic insight with the emotional moments that make it a global passion. He is focused on honing his skills and consistently aims to inspire and engage readers through every article he writes.
