Real Madrid may feel they need a few things to go their way if they are to mount a comeback against Arsenal in the Champions League after losing 3-0 in the first leg
UEFA have allowed Real Madrid to close the roof of the Bernabeu for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal. Los Blancos have a three-goal deficit to make up in the Spanish capital, and will look to rely on the home atmosphere as they aim to make a famous comeback.
The European rules are different to those in La Liga, where clubs control whether a stadium roof remains open or shut. In the Champions League, the governing body must provide express permission, and the retractable roof will be closed, and in both competitions the roof can’t be opened or closed after the game has started.
According to SportBible, UEFA have confirmed Madrid’s request has been granted. It is not the first time the Spanish giants have had such a request approved, with several matches played under a closed roof during last season’s Champions League run.
Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti spoke about the benefits of the option during last season’s competition. The eventual champions played under a closed roof for the home leg of their semi-final with Bayern Munich – among other games – where two late goals from Joselu saw them snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
“Acoustically it’s different, there’s more noise, a much better atmosphere, I think,” he said. “That can encourage the team to be even more motivated.”
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Real Madrid have won all but one of their home matches in this season’s Champions League. The one exception was a league phase game against AC Milan, when former Madrid striker Alvaro Morata helped condemn his old club to a 3-1 loss.
Their play-off round against Manchester City saw the reigning champions win home and away, with Kylian Mbappe scoring a hat-trick in the home leg. Ancelotti’s team also claimed a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in the round of 16, eventually prevailing on penalties after losing the second leg 1-0.
The first leg of the quarter-final was far tougher, though. Two goals from Declan Rice and one from Mikel Merino have left the 2024 Champions League winners with a mountain to climb to keep their dream of back-to-back titles alive.
Mbappe was sent off over the weekend in a La Liga match away to Alaves. Eduardo Camavinga, who will miss the second leg against Arsenal after being sent off in North London, scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory.
“Both are difficult, but we’re going to try,” assistant manager Davide Ancelotti said when asked if a comeback against Arsenal was easier than reeling in league leaders Barcelona. “We have the confidence and the quality to do it both in the Champions League and in the league.
“We have to earn it, it’s not enough having the quality we have, we need some things to go well for us. Everyone is on board with what we’re going to try”.
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