Real Madrid have fired a clear warning to Carlo Ancelotti about what they expect to happen in the Champions League second-leg against Arsenal.
The 15-time European champions face a daunting task next week of having to overcome a 3-0 deficit to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
Ahead of the meeting at the Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid have told Ancelotti what must happen should he hope to remain in charge of the European giants.
Real Madrid are warning Carlo Ancelotti that he must eliminate Arsenal in the second-leg or he will be at serious risk of facing the sack, according to Marca.
Los Blancos have very high demands in the Champions League, especially given the squad they have assembled this season.
Madrid has scored four goals in one game on eight occasions this season and must do the same against the Gunners next week to advance.
However, that could be a tricky task, as Arsenal have not conceded three goals in one match for over a year and boasts one of the best defences in Europe.
If the defending European champions are unable to make a dramatic comeback in the Santiago Bernabeu next week, then Ancelotti’s time in Madrid could be brought to an end.
Madrid’s players and coaching staff are showing a united front about their chances for the second-leg with Ancelotti and Kylian Mbappe insisting they can come back.
The Italian manager claims that “things happen at the Bernabeu” when asked whether he feels his team can do the unthinkable and come back from 3-0 down.
Ancelotti told the media after the match: “If you look at tonight’s game, it seems like there’s no chance. But unpredictable things happen in football.
“No one expected Rice to score two free kicks today, and he did. Anything can happen in this sport. We have to believe, trust; because sometimes, a lot, things happen at the Bernabeu.”
Madrid won its 14th Champions League title in 2022 after rallying its way through the knockout rounds. Its first comeback came against Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16, when Madrid looked beat after losing the first leg 1-0 and conceding early in the return game in the Spanish capital. The hosts eventually rallied with a second-half hat trick by Karim Benzema.
It was with another hat trick by Benzema that Madrid won the first leg at Chelsea 3-1 in the quarterfinals. But the team trailed 3-0 at the Bernabeu in the second leg and needed a late goal by Rodrygo in regulation and another by Benzema in extra time.
In the semifinals against Manchester City, Madrid lost 4-3 in England, and its deficit increased after conceding in the 73rd of the return game at home. But Rodrygo scored in the 90th and in stoppage time to force extra time, when Benzema converted a decisive penalty kick to put Madrid in the final, where it beat Liverpool.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said Madrid’s home-field advantage could make the comeback possible.
“It´s tough at 3-0, but we´re strong at home, and people need to have faith in this team because we´ll give it everything we´ve got to turn the result round,” he said. “It´s possible, but we have to work hard and correct our mistakes.”
Ancelotti was trying to look for answers after the team’s second-half collapse in London.
“It´s hard to explain. There was no collective reaction, we were trying to do things individually. They controlled the ball better and managed the result,” Ancelotti said. “They showed a better attitude, more quality and impressive fitness levels. They did a lot of things better than us, and we have to be honest with ourselves. We weren´t too bad for an hour, we played pretty well in the first half.”
Declan Rice converted stunning free kicks in the 58th and 70th minutes, and Mikel Merino added in the 75th to seal Arsenal’s win.
“Our opponents approached the game well,” Courtois said. “In the first half, we broke their press well and had possession of the ball, but what we wanted to do in the second half didn´t come off. That´s where we have to learn and improve.”
It was Madrid’s second straight defeat after a 2-1 home loss to Valencia in the Spanish league last weekend.
“We´re not used to losing two games on the bounce,” Vázquez said. “All we can do is keep working hard, believe in ourselves more than ever, and this team deserves to have everyone´s trust. We´ll give it everything we´ve got to turn the tie round.”
Madrid will be without Eduardo Camavinga for the second leg because of a red card late in the game on Tuesday.
